By Fr Bento D’Souza for BIS Mumbai

Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra (BGVK) Kedgaon recently organized a training program for sixty five teachers from Aurangabad, Ahmednagar and Beed. A total of sixty-five teachers participated in the training on November 22 & 23. The primary objective was to equip teachers with enhanced techniques for educating students in their areas. The theme of the seminar was ‘empowering the students through education and career orientation’.  

Mr Arjun Sharnagate, the BGVK co-ordinator welcomed the participants and introduced the schedule of the timetable on the first day. Fr George D’Abreo began the day with ice breakers. The participants then introduced themselves to each other & compared themselves to various objects and images from nature and life, for e.g., tree, river, fruits, etc. The introductory talk, given by Fr D’Abreo, was on capacity building. The entire group was divided into teams and they were asked to depict a role model they admired in their lives by drawing their image and stating what they saw in them. The afternoon session was conducted by the MSW students from TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences). They covered the problems, issues and challenges faced by teachers in rural India. A video clipping was screened and discussion and feedback was elicited from the participants. The day came to a climax with a campfire animated by Mr Berad. 

On the second day, the participants began the day with a prayer song, followed by presentations on the lives, achievement and contributions of their chosen role models. 

Mr Amol Bhagul gave an inspiring message to be like bees, spreading honey wherever they are planted. He also insisted that teachers keep updating themselves on the uses of the mobile in bringing out what is new & novel in education.  In the second session, Mr Bhagul gave the teachers a demonstration of Teaching Techniques using Information, communication and technology to spark the potential curiosity of young students in class. The live demonstration was widely appreciated and opened the eyes of the educators to  novel equipment available on the streets of Dubai, China and other cities in India. 

The participants conveyed their appreciation to Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra for organizing this informative training program. The participants felt reinvigorated by the atmosphere of information, knowledge and wisdom they had imbibed during the training programme.