By Ms Swati Patil for BISMumbai

Don Bosco Edu Complex, Pune organized a felicitation ceremony to honour the toppers of the Adult Literacy Classes on 19 April 2023.

The ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp followed by a short report on the various activities conducted during the Adult Literacy and Computer Literacy Classes.

The Principal, Fr Ajit Munis in his welcome address applauded the adult students for their wonderful achievement in their examinations. He urged the adult students to continue learning by sharing the words of the renowned philosopher, Jiddu Krishnamurthy: "There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning."

All 102 adult students who appeared for English and Computer exams cleared it with flying colours. The Rector, Fr Michael Bansode, and Fr Munis felicitated the exemplary 12 adult students who secured the highest marks in their examinations with certificates and prizes.

Fr Bansode articulated his feelings with the words of wisdom congratulating the toppers as well as the other adult learners for their hard work and success. He said: "Each one needs to continue receiving education. We cannot measure learning nor can say have completed education because learning is a never-ending process."

Responding to the felicitation, Mrs Waghmare, the student topper expressed a deep sense of gratitude towards the institution and the teachers. She said: "The Adult Literacy Classes helped ordinary adults like me to develop self-confidence and attain mastery in English speaking skills."

In November 2022, the Management of Don Bosco Edu Complex, Yerwada, came together and proposed the right of adults to have access to education wherein every shall be able to benefit from educational opportunities designed to meet their basic learning needs. A baseline study was conducted among the parents of the students to ascertain the literacy rate and identify the literacy levels of the target population. Potential learners were identified, and two groups were created according to their level of competence. Each group had one-hour sessions thrice a week. The parents got maximum benefit from the adult literacy and computer training program provided to them at no charge.

Mrs Shumela Shaikh, one of the beneficiaries of the programme said: "I recalled my school days and once again had a wonderful experience of schooling. I learnt the basic skills of English which has surely helped me to teach my children better at home."

The Ceremony ended with a vote of thanks and refreshments.