Report of the Seminars held for Heads, Teachers and Laboratory Assistants of the DSE Schools for Progressive change of   Behavioural Attitude

The Diocesan Society of Education in order to equip the teachers to face the present challenges and to motivate them to innovate and create a culture in the classroom and beyond the classroom that might produce an inclusive environment for children, decided to have a series of seminars for the heads, teachers and laboratory assistants of its schools. The concept of organising the seminars for Teacher’s for Progressive Change of Behavioural Attitude was conceived at the meeting of the Governing Council of the Diocesan Society of Education.

The seminars for the secondary schools were organised by grouping the schools in four different clusters and they were held at different venues, on 17.02.2011, at Holy Cross  Church Hall, Verna,  on 19.02.2011  at Immaculate Conception Church Hall, Panjim., on 22.02.2011, at St. Xavier’s College Hall, Mapusa, and on 24.02.2011 at Cardinal Gracias Hall, Navelim. For the primary teachers it was held on 20.02.2011 at Mary Immaculate Girls High School Hall, Panjim.

The main resource person for the secondary section teachers was Dr. Jorson Fernandes, an ENT surgeon, a multifaceted personality, visiting faculty at the Homeopathic Medical College, Shiroda, NUSI Maritime Academy, Assolna, ONGC- IPSHEM, etc.

In the two pre-lunch sessions that he conducted, he focussed on the topic “Teaching, A Mission with Passion”. In his deliberation he stressed on the need to bring about a positive change in the educational system by putting inner fire in oneself. He also emphasized on the different patterns of behaviour’. He pointed out that in order to secure a good future of a student the parents and the teachers should work united. .Dr.  Fernandes also dealt at length on the topic of Attitudes and Behavioural Aspects of life in a person and felt the need that a teacher should set goals, plan, evaluate, motivate and build teams. He concluded that “one day we’ll all die; however some do leave a proof that they didn’t merely exist”.

In the first post lunch session, the Assistant secretary of the DSE Fr. Edmund Barretto spoke on how to teach effectively, tapping the hidden talents of the students. He stressed on the teacher giving positive remarks to build up the self esteem of the child. A questionnaire was given to self assess the teachers. He drew differences between the two types of teachers, viz. Unfriendly Teachers and Friendly and Understanding Teachers. Fr. Barretto  shared his personal experiences and remarked that a personal touch or charisma of a  teachers can make a big impact in the life of a student. 

In the second post lunch session Fr.  Zeferino D’Souza, the Secretary of the Diocesan Society of Education gave important inputs on teacher as a role model. He gave a bird’s eye view of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 (RTE) and updated on the latest developments in the field of Education. He shared information and reiterated the need to follow the rules and regulations for smooth functioning of the DSE schools. He asserted as to what he expects from the teachers, that is, specifically to give up the  method of “question and answer” which suppresses and oppresses every child’s brain but rather to teach the child to evolve her own answers through innovative and creative methods, quoting a Chinese proverb:” If you give a man fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach  him how to fish, you feed him for a life time”   . He added that our knowledge should be educative, informative and upgraded from time to time to meet the growing demands of the child. He called upon the teachers to be full of passion and emphasized on the dress code for them.

The primary teachers were enlightened by Ms. Suvartha Hiremath, lecturer at the Institute of Hotel Management, Porvorim and an associate trainer for various hotels and corporates in Goa.

She dwelt on the topic “The Inside-Out Approach”. In her input  she stressed on how to stay positive in a tough work environment. “Attitude brings about changes from inside and it helps in accepting responsibilities which is a sign of maturity”, she added. She also spoke on leadership and said that teachers are influencing future leaders and requested them to groom up good leaders. A leader’s character is like the foundation of a building, if not strong and firm will destroy the humans whose character has not been prepared. She listed 5 pillars of leader’s character viz. integrity, humility, responsibility, purity and charity and listed spirituality as her own inspiration. She  added, further,  that spiritual attitude should be there in every human great or small.

  Archbishop Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao also addressed the primary teachers. He said that teachers should be responsible in moulding the students. He appreciated the hard work put in by the teachers and pinned his hopes that teachers would do well in days to come. He thanked the teachers for their valuable time and also for all their sacrifices in making DSE schools the best.

The Secretary of the Diocesan Society of Education, Fr. Zeferino D’Souza and the Assistant Secretary, Fr. Edmund Barretto, gave valuable inputs, suggestions and guidance to the teachers.

The seminars commenced at 9.00 a.m. with the registration of the participants and ended at 5.00 pm. Before the end of each seminar an open forum was held wherein the heads, teachers and laboratory assistants freely participated in it. Fr Zeferino D’Souza, the DSE secretary, satisfactorily answered all the queries.

The seminars were enriching, thought provoking, widely  appreciated and will leave an indelible mark in the minds of those present in order to give the best to the students.

About 1300 teachers actively participated in the 5 seminars who will make a positive difference in the lives of the students of all the schools of the Diocesan Society of Education.  

Report prepared by Mr. Martin Rodrigues, Assistant Teacher, St. Xavier’s High School, Moira, and Member of the Coordinating Committee for the  Seminars