A Memorable Teachers’ Seminar at Haflong
Haflong, 22nd February 2020: Don Bosco Schools of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao region organised a Teachers Seminar on 21st and 22nd February 2020 at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Haflong. A total of 173 teachers from 10 schools, namely Don Bosco School, Haflong, Don Bosco School, Mahur, Don Bosco School Asalu, Don Bosco School, Laisong, Don Bosco School Harangajao, Don Bosco School Umswai, Don Bosco School Amkachi, Don Bosco School Sojong, Don Bosco School Satgaon and Don Bosco School Baithalangso participated in the seminar. Principals, Headmistresses, sisters and brothers working in the above schools also participated in the programme.
Smt. Nandita Gorlosa, Executive Member (EM) of Dima Hasao District Council in charge of Higher Secondary Education was the Chief Guest at the inaugural function. Madam Nandita, a former teacher at Don Bosco, Haflong urged the students to be prepared for life and not just for acquiring a degree. “Degrees are just a piece of paper” she said while advising students to engage in outdoor classes, sports and games and other activities like gardening.
Spread over five sessions, the two day seminar had inputs on Skills of the 21st century and Effective teaching English by Eupheus Learning Publishers, New Delhi, on Child Rights by Fr. Lukose Cheruvalel SDB, founder of Snehalaya, Guwahati; on Preventive System by Fr. KJ Thomas SDB, former Economer of Guwahati Province; ‘Quality not Quantity’ by Smt. Sheila Lyngdoh and an interactive session with students of the local schools. One of the outcomes of the seminar was the pledge by all teachers to uphold and protect the rights of children.
The memorable seminar came to a close with a fun filled cultural and variety show by the participating teachers themselves. Each school came up with well-choreographed dances, melodious songs and music and humorous skits.
Summing up her sentiments Larlin Engtipi from Don Bosco Sojong said, “The environment was captivating, the sessions on Child Rights policy and Don Bosco’s Preventive System were educating and all other sessions were benefiting”. Sr. Mary Joice of Don Bosco, Baithalangso declared, “I loved the session on Preventive System of Don Bosco and the interaction with students. I will go back more empowered to serve more dedicatedly.” One of the teachers from Don Bosco, Umswai wrote, “The Seminar will make me a better teacher”. Thanking the participants, organisers and resource persons Richard Sumer of Don Bosco Haflong was impressed with the educational philosophy of Don Bosco and strongly believes that “the seminar has enlivened teachers and collaborators” while batting for such regular interactions to ‘rejuvenate and update ourselves’. Sr. Helen Barla was emphatic when she said, “Above all I was taken up by the planning of chief organiser, Fr. Emanuel Marngar, other organisers and the visible collaboration of the host teachers of Don Bosco Haflong. We thank him and his team and all teachers from near and far.”
We are grateful to Fr. Emmanuel Marngar, Principal of Don Bosco School, Haflong for meticulous planning, preparation and splendid execution of the programme. The students of Don Bosco School, Halfong and the sub centre schools of the parish deserve a huge round of applause for their remarkable performance in the inaugural function.
Fr. Albert Thyrniang
Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Umswai
