Don Bosco Teachers' Convention held By Bivan MukhimGuwahati, Oct. 18. The First ever Don Bosco Teachers' Convention in Guwahati Salesian province, organized by Don Bosco School Excellence Mission (DBSEM) was held on Saturday 18 October at Don Bosco School, Panbazar, Guwahati . More than 800 teachers including principals, vice principals and headmistresses of around 30 Don Bosco schools of Lower Assam and Garo Hills took part in the day-long convention that included a host of interactive activities like lively sessions by renowned Salesian educationists, cultural songs and dances, fun and games.
The convention was formally declared open in the morning with the hoisting of the convention flag by 96-year old Italian Salesian Fr. Porcu Mario. Present were the teachers and a galaxy of distinguished personalities like Principal Secretary to Chief Minister (Home and Political Department) MGVK Bhanu, Cotton College State University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dhruba Jyoti Saikia, Guwahati Salesian Provicial Fr. VM Thomas, DBSEM director Fr. Johnson Parackal, DBSEM programme coordinator Fr. Joseph Thelekkatt, and Guwahati Don Bosco School principal Fr. Sebastian Mathew.
Welcoming all the participants Fr. VM Thomas expressed his hope that they would all take happy memories back home from this convention. Shri Bhanu in his speech recalled his association with the Don Bosco Society and such Christian missionaries and lauded their untiring and selfless dedication. Prof. Saikia appreciated the Salesian method of education where individuals go on to contribute to the society.
The principal part of the convention consisted of sessions on the changing paradigm in education, Don Bosco's method of education, and child rights issues, by three eduationists - Fr. VM Thomas, Fr. PD Johnny Tura Don Bosco College Principal, and Fr. CT Lukose founder director of Snehalaya, a project for rehabilitation of children at risk.
The convention ended with some live music and dance, fun and games, and a cultural show from participating schools showcasing the various ethnic cultures of the Northeast.
DBSEM organized the convention primarily to motivate and enthuse the teachers to embrace change and equip themselves to meet the educational challenges of the 21st century.