By Fr Chris Ferreira for BISMumbai

Don Bosco, Chhotaudepur, began their Gujarati Medium and English Medium Schools for the academic year 2023-2024 with great enthusiasm and optimism on 6 June 2023.

For nearly four decades, the Salesians of Don Bosco have rendered quality education at the heart of tribal Gujarat in Chhotaudepur. Owing to this service in the field of education, there has been a stupendous increase in the number of students in both the Gujarati Medium and the English Medium School. 

The inaugural programme of the English Medium School began with a workshop where little four-year-olds left a paint impression of their first handprints in the school. The wonder of God was exhibited not just in the gift of these little faces but also in their little handprints that will soon write the future of the tribals here in Chhotaudepur. The new teachers and the Principal – Fr Chris Ferreira, welcomed the students with crowns and bracelets. With a prayer song and a classical prayer dance performed by the new teachers themselves, the staff welcomed both the children and their parents. Bosco Kids Kindergarten and Don Bosco English Medium School – Chhotaudepur has evoked a strong appreciation from the townsfolk in their first year itself and this year, the strength of the school is nearly 170. Fr Ferreira said: “This success of the school in its first year itself is a testament to the co-operation and cordial rapport between the teachers and the parents.”

The inaugural programme of the Gujarati Medium School was packed with a couple of melodious performances performed by the students themselves trained under the guidance of Fr George Carlos, the Rector and Manager of both schools. The teaching staff welcomed the new entrants with a tilak and little mementos. Fr Carlos in both the programmes spoke of the charism of Don Bosco and the effect of Don Bosco’s spirit in the district of Chhotaudepur. Fr Carlos himself was the pioneer of the Gujarati Medium School nearly thirty years ago. The Principal, Mr Ishwar Dabhi, stressed on the importance of discipline for the coming year to achieve still better results and soar higher skies.

Later, Fr Carlos also gave a conference and orientation programme to the teaching and non-teaching staff of both the schools enumerating the qualities and methodologies of a teacher in a Don Bosco School.