NECDBS 2018

National Educational Conference of Don Bosco Schools (NECDBS) 2018

NECDBS (National Educational Conference of Don Bosco Schools) has been regularly conducted once in two years since 2010. Its vital impact is becoming evident through the implementation of its outcome.

The 1st NECDBS was held on 24th -26th September, 2010 Hosted by the Province of Delhi at Don Bosco School, Alaknanda, New Delhi. The Purpose and Objectives of NECDBS-2010 was net Working all the Don Bosco Schools in India and SPCSA initiative to organize a conference and general body meeting of all the Headmasters and Principals of DB Schools in India every two Years. The 2nd NECDBS was held on 28th September – 1st October 2012, hosted by the Province of Kolkata at Don Bosco School, Park Circus, Kolkata with the theme “Emerging Trends in Modern Education”. The Purpose and the objective of the conference were to give formation and training to our personnel educational ministry; To give visibility to the uniqueness of Don Bosco Schools; To coordinate our educational ministry at the National Level; Sharing of our innovative educational practices with other provinces; To study the new trends in education related issues and student services. The 3rd NECDBS was held on 6th – 9th November 2014, Hosted by the Province of Mumbai in Don Bosco School, Mutunga, Mumbai, with the Theme: “Leading Salesian Schools in the 21st Century”. The Purpose and Objectives of were Quality Education; Self-Review and Validation against a Standard; School Leadership; Leading Teaching and Learning Curriculum; Preparing Salesians to Lead our Schools; Community Partnerships; Sharing the Best Practices Case Study from Each Province on above themes. The 4th NECDBS was held on 4th – 6th November 2016, hosted by the Province of Guwahati at Don Bosco School, Pan Bazaar, Guwahati with the theme: “Don Bosco: Transforming India Through Education”. The Purpose and Objectives of the conference were to prepare our students to be global citizens in the Don Bosco Way; To prepare young minds to be protagonists of a corruption-free society; To educate our youth towards national integration by promotion of cultures; To enable the youth to be leaders of a new society by being the change they want to see in the world.

THE 5th NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE OF DON BOSCO SCHOOLS – INDIA was held at the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (formerly known as SRM University), Kattankulathur, Chennai from 28th September to 01st October 2018. It was Hosted By the Salesian province of Chennai with the to facilitate the Principals with new ideas and to exchange the best practices followed at various Salesian educational institutions across the Country. There were Around 180 Salesian Principals/ Headmasters/Correspondents/Salesian Sisters and Asst. Headmasters from various Salesian Schools all over India had attended this Conference.

This Conference featured renowned education specialists with the theme “Committed to Accompanying the Young”, with a special outlook of our Strenna 2018, developing a framework of Commitment & Accompaniment, in shaping and moulding the young in our Don Bosco Schools, all over India. The mega event began on Friday 28th September 2018 with the registration of participants, followed by an inaugural function at 6.00 pm. The Inaugural ceremony was organized and performed by the Salesians of Vellore Region. Rev. Fr. K.M. Jose, Provincial of Chennai Province welcomed the gathering. The Chief Guest Dr. Sandeep Sanchet, the Vice-Chancellor of SRM University, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Balasubramaniam, Registrar, Dr. N. Sethuraman addressed the gathering. The key note address was delivered by Dr. S.P. Thyagarajan and Dr. M. Victor Louis Anthuvan – Guest of Honours addressed the gathering. There was a cultural programme at the end of the inaugural function and the day’s event came to a close with Dinner.

29th September 2018 – the second day of Conference began with the Eucharistic celebration at 6.45 am. Most. Rev. Dr. A.M. Chinnappa, D.D., SDB, Archbishop Emeritus celebrated the Holy Mass and the Choir from St. Mary’s A-I. HSS was in full attendance, adding meaning to the holy service with their singing. The theme for Session – I was “Accompanying the youth (Physically, Intellectually, Emotionally and Spiritually)”. We had Rev. Fr. Paul Raj Amal raj, SDB, as Moderator for the session. Prof. John Varghese, Fr. Antony Sebastian, Dr. Hema Karthick and Mr. Sangeeth Varghese were the key speakers for the day. Their message was very educative and enriching. The second session “Education in the Digital Age – New Age Pedagogy” had Fr. Raj Kumar, SDB, as the Moderator with Mr. Kumar Mynampati, Mr. Srinivas Pothapragada and Fr. Thaddeus, SDB, as the speakers. After the lunch break, the “Best practices from the Provinces across India was presented by each province. Rev. Fr. Y.L. Irudayaraj, SDB, was the moderator for this session. The day’s programme came to an end with a Cultural Portrait of Tamilnadu which was co-ordinated by Rev. Fr. John Peter, SDB and Rev. Fr. K.J. Arul raj, SDB. The students from Fatima Mat. HSS, Kodambakkam, under the able guidance of the Salesian Sisters had portrayed the theme with a brilliant and colourful dance performance.

Day three – 30th September 2018 began with the Eucharist Celebration solemnized by Fr. Antony Joseph, sdb., Provincial of Trichy Province. DEEPAGAM, DBVOICE had made the service meaningful and prayerful by singing for the entire service. The theme for the third session of the Conference was “Overcoming the Challenges faced by Schools”. Rev. Fr. Maria Charles, SDB and Dr. Kannan, IAS had been the speakers for this session and they had delivered their message very clearly with their vibrant voice. After the lunch break, a panel discussion on “Creating Celebrities at our Schools” took place. Rev. Fr. John Christy, SDB was the Moderator. Eminent past pupils such as Mr. Sanjay Pinto, Mr. Ashwin Rajagopalan, Dr. Sumanth C. Raman and Mr. Mari Karthikeyan were the potential panel members for discussion. The evening was filled with music and dance and kept all present tap their feet as Mr. John Britto’s Dance Company had performed a beautiful dance on the theme “Accompanying the Young”. There was also a dance performance and a skit performed by the students of Don Bosco Mat. HSS and Don Bosco School of Excellence, Egmore Rev. Fr. Gregory Devarajan, SDB, Rector & Correspondent along with Rev. Fr. Gerald Miranda, SDB, Principal - Don Bosco Mat. HSS, and Fr. Louis Philip, Principal of Don Bosco School of Excellence had been the organizers for the evening’s cultural programme.

The day 4 – had Most. Rev. Dr. Soundararaju Periyanayagam, SDB, Bishop of Vellore celebrating the Holy Eucharist. The choir from Don Bosco Shrine, Ayanavaram rendered their voices for the entire service. A group photograph was taken after the Eucharistic celebration. The fifth session began on the theme “Principals as Change Agent & Leaders and the profile of a Don Bosco Teacher”. Dr. R.W. Alexander Jesudasan, Rev. Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga, SDB, and Mr. P.J. Irudayaraj, the Mathematics Teacher from St. Mary’s A-I. HSS were the speakers for this session with Rev. Fr. John Alexander, SDB, as the Moderator. After the coffee break, we had Ms. Jenny Colaso, from Bima School, who had given an input session. Rev. Fr. Maria Charles, SDB, took over the Business session and was decided that Bangalore Province will host the 6th NECDBS in 2020. The closing ceremony was performed by the students from Salesian schools of Tirupattur region.

The 5th NECDBS will be remembered as the aim of it was all about guiding the young minds to grow higher. The whole world is aware that “the children are the earth’s most precious resource”. They are the Hope for tomorrow. ‘The foundation of every State is in the education of its youth’ – Education of the youth was the dream of Don Bosco. May we follow the footsteps of our patron Don Bosco, keeping in mind his Preventive System of Education and the all-round development of children.