Former Vice-President of Training and Market Research of The Times of India and former Principal Advisor at Don Bosco Centre for Learning, Kurla, Mumbai, Mr. Conrad Saldanha, delivered the keynote address on Don Bosco: On Education. Saldhana stressed the importance of teaching human-centered skills like digital citizenship, emotional intelligence, and values-based learning.
Fr. Peter Gonsalves, SDB, PhD in Communications and professor of Media Education and Peace Communication at the Salesian University Rome, discussed Don Bosco’s Way of Education, emphasizing the goal of guiding students toward a happy and fulfilling life. He highlighted Don Bosco’s Preventive System, which centers on Rapport, Reason, and Religion, to guide educators in fostering strong relationships and spiritual growth.
The Director at QuGates Technologies, Ms. Ritu Advani, spoke about Reskilling in the age of AI. She highlighted the pressing issue of the widening education-industry gap, where traditional methods leave students unprepared for modern workplace challenges such as stress and inadequate coping skills, underscoring the need for immediate action.
Dr. Mrs. Mabel Pimenta, PhD in Education, conducted a session on Teaching and Learning and Inclusive Education. She introduced interactive teaching techniques such as Think-Pair-Share, Jigsaw, Team-Pair-Solo, Circle the Sage, and Gallery Walk.
Father Tony D'Souza SJ, psychologist and Director of Premanjali Counselling Services, conducted a session on Mental Health and well-being. He emphasized the essential link between emotional, cognitive, and social health for a child’s holistic development, highlighting fear and love as key motivators of behaviour in an individual.
The Middle School Coordinator at Don Bosco Naigaon, Mrs. Supriya Rodrigues, moderated an insightful On-Action session. During the Session, educators were divided into four groups to share and discuss innovative practices, learn from each other’s strengths and challenges, and collaboratively develop strategies for evolving schools.
NGO worker Mrs. Christaline Pinto provided insight into the benefits and challenges of homeschooling. Fr. Joaquim Fernandes SDB shared the story of Mr. Amin Sheikh, a street child through informal schooling and trusting divine providence, who founded the Bombay to Barcelona Library Café for migrant youth and later opened a school to empower them further.
Ms. Veera Rodrigues
