By Mrs Dorothy Fernandes for BIS Mumbai

In a significant step towards educational advancement, Don Bosco High School and Jr. College, Naigaon, hosted an insightful session on Action-Based Research (ABR), on Friday, July 4, 2025. The session was conducted by Mr. Conrad Saldanha, former Vice President (Training and Market Research) at The Times of India and a respected member of advisory boards for Salesian and academic institutions.

Held as part of the Salesian commitment to professional development, the session focused on the post-COVID impact on students' academics and behaviour, highlighting ABR as a dynamic method for addressing real-time school challenges through collaborative solutions.

The Principal, Fr Anthony Fonseca, introduced the speaker, (Mr Saldanha) after which Mr Saldanha presented key findings from prior ABR initiatives, identifying four critical post-pandemic areas: Academics, Behavioural Gaps, Digital Influence, and Family Dynamics, emphasizing their influence on student well-being and performance. “Action-Based Research is not just academic—it is a practical and dynamic method of solving real-time problems through collaborative reflection and implementation,” he noted.

Teachers were divided into six groups and asked to select the area they found most urgent, discuss its importance, propose initiatives, determine implementation strategies and timelines, and assign responsibility. After 45 minutes of group work, teams presented solutions like mentoring programs, digital detox strategies, parental engagement, and academic bridging efforts.

An open discussion followed, with strong consensus on the feasibility and value of the proposals. The seminar concluded with a consolidated statement of shared commitment to implementing these initiatives, aiming to restore academic excellence, promote emotional resilience, and strengthen school-family partnerships.

This impactful session reaffirmed the Salesian vision—to not only teach, but to transform—through research, reflection, and action for holistic educational excellence.