By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

At Don Bosco, a unique initiative is transforming the lives of rural tribal children by helping them overcome one of their greatest educational challenges — the fear of English. Recognising the growing importance of English in mainstream education and society, the Don Bosco Management Team launched a special coaching programme aimed at supporting children from vernacular backgrounds and preparing them for English-medium education.

In many remote tribal regions such as Kawant Block in Chhota Udepur District, children often remain educationally disadvantaged due to limited exposure to English. For many of them, the language appears difficult and intimidating. Understanding this reality, the Don Bosco team designed a structured programme to build confidence and interest among the students.

The initiative was led by Fr Dr Mayank Parmar, Rector, along with Fr Ajay Shelke, Vice Rector, Br Melvyn Carvalho, Administrator, and Fr Agnel Dias, Prefect of Studies. Together, they carefully planned a special coaching strategy for rural tribal children studying in Gujarati-medium schools.

During the months of March and April 2026, spoken English classes were conducted every Saturday and Sunday for children enrolled in the Village Education Programme. More than 40 students studying in Standard 5 attended these weekend sessions enthusiastically. Following this, a five-day residential selection camp was organised with the participation of nearly 140 children.

Throughout the camp, the organisers personally interacted with the students and identified children with strong academic potential and learning ability. The parents were also counselled and encouraged to believe in their children’s capability to adapt to English-medium education. They were informed about a further 15-day intensive camp where students would receive systematic training in spoken English, vocabulary building, cursive writing, and communication skills.

The ongoing camp, which began on May 20, 2026 and continues until June 3, 2026, currently includes 40 selected students from Gujarati-medium schools. The programme combines learning with recreation, creating an enjoyable and motivating atmosphere for the children.

The success of the camp is made possible through the dedicated efforts of Sr Heena Rathwa OP, Cl. Mohan Katara SDB, and past pupils Vishvanath Rathwa, Jivan Rathwa, Nilesh Rathwa, and Ms Saloni Rathwa, who serve as mentors and instructors. Alongside classroom learning, the children participate in various activities such as swimming, indoor and outdoor games, Timli dance, ice-cream parties, fruits, and milkshake sessions, making the camp both educational and memorable.

The most remarkable outcome of the initiative is the visible change in the children’s confidence. Students who were once hesitant to speak English are gradually becoming fearless and expressive. Their fear of the language is slowly disappearing, replaced by enthusiasm and hope for a brighter future.

The spirit of the programme is beautifully reflected in the famous words of Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan: “lahero se dar kar nauka par nahi hoti, koshish karne valo ki kabhi har nahi hoti.” - “Waves do not stop a boat from crossing; those who keep trying never truly fail.”