by Alphonso Ohol for BISMumbai

Don Bosco High School, Yerwada, conducted a two-day orientation for its teaching and office staff on June 12 and 13, focusing on equipping them to support students with learning difficulties.

The orientation was facilitated by Fr Ajoy Fernandes, an experienced educationist in the field of special education. The event began with an opening address by the Principal, Fr Glen Fernandes. Ms Manjusha Thorat, Supervisor of the Secondary Section, introduced the resource person, highlighting his extensive background in child and adolescent development. Director and Manager, Fr Crispino D’Souza, welcomed Fr Fernandes with a handmade card, setting a warm and respectful tone for the sessions.

In the opening session, Fr Fernandes explained that the orientation would explore both the science and art of teaching students with learning challenges. He posed three reflective questions for discussion:

• What kinds of learning difficulties do you observe in your students?

• What feelings do these children evoke in you during class hours?

• How do you usually respond to such children?

Teachers discussed these questions in groups. Their responses highlighted issues such as poor living conditions, parental neglect, language barriers, family conflicts, and inconsistent upbringing.

Fr Fernandes then spoke on identifying and supporting slow learners. He pointed to signs such as weak comprehension, poor memory retention, slow academic progress, and difficulty with abstract concepts. He emphasized strategies including repetitive practice, hands-on learning, regular revisions, and foundational mastery.

A detailed session on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) followed. Characteristics such as impulsivity, restlessness, short attention spans, and distractibility were discussed. A video illustrated classroom strategies and the importance of medical and psychological support. Learning disabilities like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia were also introduced through a short participatory activity to build awareness and empathy.

The second day opened with a recap of the previous sessions by Ms Neelam Shejal. Fr Fernandes revisited key learning disorders and presented a video depicting the perspective of a child with dyslexia. Teachers used a checklist to identify potential learning challenges among their students. He also explained the concept of co-morbidities in ADHD and introduced occupational therapy as a support mechanism to enhance muscle coordination, emotional stability, and cognitive skills. Emphasis was placed on sensory-motor integration and physical activities to support brain development. Physical education teachers demonstrated exercises designed to aid such students.

The program concluded with a video clip from Taare Zameen Par, reinforcing the need for empathy in education. Ms Hazel Jesus delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to Fr Fernandes for his valuable insights. The orientation concluded with the staff feeling more informed and prepared to address the diverse needs of their students.