The Catholic Board of Education (CBE) in Mangaluru observed its 37th annual Teachers' Day this past Wednesday, convening a felicitation ceremony at Shanthi Kiran Hall, Bajjodi, Nanthoor. The event united education officials, heads of institutions, retiring educators, and meritorious students from across the Diocese of Mangaluru to celebrate teaching excellence and academic success.
Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of the Diocese of Mangaluru and President of the CBE, presided over the programme. In his address, Bishop Saldanha underscored the profound impact teachers have on students' lives, describing their guidance as a "lifelong compass." He urged students to respect their mentors and embrace constructive criticism for personal growth, while encouraging educators to cultivate learning environments that foster observation, experience-based learning, and critical thinking skills.
Shri Shashidhar G.S., K.E.S., Deputy Director (Administration) for the Department of School Education in Dakshina Kannada district, attended as chief guest. He commended the district's academic strides, affectionately referring to the region as "Amchi Dakshina Kannada." Shri Shashidhar highlighted a significant reduction in student failures, noting a drop from four-digit figures to three digits last year, and set a collective target to reach "just two digits" this year. He stressed that sustained hard work surpasses initial success and praised the determination and leadership of the district's headmasters and headmistresses.
A significant segment of the celebration involved honouring 25 retiring teaching staff and 16 non-teaching staff for their decades of dedicated service. Representing the retired cohort, Smt. Pushpavathi A., Headmistress of St Joseph Higher Primary School, Kaliyoor, and Shri Everest Crasta, Headmaster of Cascia High School, Mangaluru, shared reflections on their fulfilling careers. The student choir from Lourdes Central School, Bejai, presented a moving musical tribute. The ceremony also acknowledged outstanding institutions and individual achievers, including Smt. Irene Leena Sequeira, Headmistress of St Joseph Higher Primary School, Nanthoor, for her state- and taluk-level awards.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Mangalorean News