by BIS Correspondent
MUMBAI, JULY 9, 2018: At the annual Principals' meeting that took place at the Don Bosco Provincial house, Matunga over June 28 and 29, the Provincial, Father Godfrey D'Souza stressed on the importance of staff and management using Don Bosco's Preventive System of Education as a template for educating the youth of today.
For Don Bosco, 'Reason, Religion and loving kindness' formed the bedrock of his education system. Education, he stressed, was a matter of the heart, rules are important, but educators must use their heart well when dealing with youth.
Father James Tuscano welcomed the gathering on the first day. Father D'Souza then took the dais to laud the teachers and management for the academic success of Don Bosco institutions over the last academic year. He stressed, however, that a cent percent result was not of utmost importance.
Father D'Souza added that staff and an active Parent Teacher Association is the strength of an institution. "We need to find ways of winning them over. We cannot spite and fight them," he said.
He urged principals to be open to conflicting opinions at staff meetings. "We need to meet the staff individually and discuss the issue with them," he said, adding, "Never shout, demean or insult staff in public places. We are bound to make mistakes; for that matter even a child or parent; hence the need to take control of ourselves."
He spoke about the issue of punishment, saying that punishment should be such that it helps win the love of pupils. There should be no public punishment, and that staff should use prudence in disciplining students. "Physical punishments must be absolutely forbidden," he said, "or these irritate and degrade."
He also spoke about the Rector Major, Angel Fernandez Airtime's message for Salesians to cater to the poorest of the poor and marginalised as they cannot afford the fees, "Never send away a poor child because he or she cannot pay the fees. Our schools are meant for such children. Give concessions wherever possible," he added.
The Economer, Father Manuel Murzello, then addressed members, by highlighting trust matters in an institution. He urged all stakeholders to keep the change report and minutes up to date for sake of Right to Information (RTI) and other queries.
He also spoke about key financial and maintenance issues that administrators face on a daily basis. Father Joaquim Fernandes made a presentation on the plan of the finance committee to raise funds for the Boscoree. This included various points related to sponsorship and the funding, namely segmentation of donors- a special brochure has been presented to the bigger donors. Funding processes and an action plan on dealing with funding processes was dealt with in great detail, including the recruitment of a point person to coordinate with principals, Father Manuel and Father Fernandes. Father Fernandes also made a mention of the Bosco Information Service (BIS) workshop on journalism for the staff that will be held on July 18 and 19.
Father Rolvin D'Mello, from the province Development Office spoke to the assembly on the development works of the province and requested for a greater collaboration. There was a need for a roadmap for richer network that would include the development and education sectors of the province, he stressed.
He added that the office, which covers Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, reached out to over 70,000 beneficiaries in the financial year, adding that the province is working on 10/17 goals.
Father D'Mello spoke about other areas of work that his office deals with, they include health care services, livelihoods, non formal skill development, governance advocacy, education-village level, food security, water and sanitation, agriculture extension.
He added that he requests no funds from schools; however, he wishes to showcase what the province is doing in this field.
Father James Tuscano updated the members about the preparations for National Educational Conference of Don Bosco Schools (NECDBS), which is held every two years, and sought their suggestions for the seminar and related matters.
He also spoke about Green Alliance, which is the Salesians of Don Bosco's Green initiative. He stressed that most Salesian schools have worked towards plastic free zones. He complimented Father Savio Silveira, the vice provincial, for his passion in promoting a clean and safe environment. In the second session, a presentation was made by Robomate school app and nine schools expressed their interest in taking a trial of the app.
The second day began with a special Eucharistic celebration marking the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, presided over by Father Silveira, who spoke about the two great apostles. He singled out their passion for Christ and the Gospel. In a session that followed, Father Ajoy Fernandes spoke the importance of discovering one's personality type, in order to be better equipped for life and mission.
The two-day long meet of the principals of Salesian institutions led to fruitful discussions on a number of pressing issues in the educational sector and paved the way forward for a greater vision and mission.