by Grishma Joseph for BISMumbai

In a commendable step towards sustainability and experiential learning, Don Bosco Senior Secondary School, Nerul, launched its Garden Project Initiative on July 3, 2025. The project witnessed enthusiastic participation from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members and their children from Classes III to XII.

The initiative aims to foster environmental responsibility and teamwork among students by encouraging each class to cultivate its own garden space with vegetables, fruits, and flowering plants. It is envisioned as a platform to instill ecological awareness, promote healthy practices, and develop a sense of ownership among the students.

On the day of the contribution drive, PTA members arrived at the school with their children, bringing along empty flower pots. The school provided the soil, while the families contributed seeds or saplings of vegetables, fruits, or ornamental plants. This collective gesture marked the beginning of the classroom garden plots, each of which will be designed and nurtured by the students themselves.

The Garden Project is expected to serve as a practical learning space where students engage in hands-on activities such as planting, watering, composting, and harvesting. This initiative not only supports the goals of sustainable living but also strengthens student involvement through collaborative care of nature.

Speaking on the occasion, a PTA representative noted, “It is a beautiful idea that helps children learn outside the classroom while bonding with nature and their peers.”

The project reflects the school’s commitment to environmental education and aligns with national efforts like the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. It also reinforces values such as responsibility, patience, and the joy of nurturing life—qualities essential in shaping eco-conscious citizens.

Through this ongoing initiative, Don Bosco Nerul continues its efforts to combine academics with life skills and character formation, guided by the Salesian mission of holistic education.