By Mr Noel Saldanha for BISMumbai

Don Bosco School, Nerul, was formally registered with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in December 2020. Their primary focus is the young residents living in Navi Mumbai. The school started recruiting students in March 2021, with the specific aim of certifying migrant and marginalised students for class 10 and 12 examinations.

For the recently concluded Secondary and Senior Secondary exams held in April 2022, they were successful in registering a total of 111 students, of which 85 appeared for the exams. While 30 students passed all subjects, the others cleared a minimum of three subjects. Some of the students that passed were peons and security guards.

In the last few months, a survey was conducted among marginalised residents of Cheeta Camp and Navi Mumbai. From their responses, it was overwhelmingly clear that what young people living there really want is gainful employment. Thereby, the school has added skill related programmes for the students, along with the broader remit of completing their 10 and 12 Standard exams through NIOS. The target for this year is 300 students, and 121 have already registered.

The academic classes are conducted online through ‘Kashvi’, a collaborative NGO based in Mumbai. For skill training, the institute is working in association with Tata Strive, Tech Mahindra, Siemens, Sui Dhaaga and DB Tech India.

During this transitory period, it is a challenge to mobilise learners for the dual-pronged programme. Fr Adolph Furtado has been instrumental in giving the NIOS at Don Bosco, Nerul, a major boost and encouragement.