Dibrugarh, 5 August 2023: The Northeastern region of India witnessed a significant gathering of educational leaders on Saturday, as the Don Bosco Schools convened for a crucial meeting to discuss the National Education Policy (NEP) and its implications. Hosted by Don Bosco Dibrugarh, the meeting aimed to introduce the heads of institutions to the new policies and procedures outlined in the NEP.
The event commenced with a warm welcome by the NEP Programme Coordinator, Fr. Neljen SDB, who is also the principal of Don Bosco Dibrugarh. The distinguished guest, Fr. Joseph Manipadam SDB, the SPCSA delegate for the Salesian Family and SA coordinator for Education and Culture Dimension, was introduced and welcomed by Fr. Neljen. The gathering was enriched by the presence of Fr. Nestor Guria SDB, the Rector of DBS Dibrugarh, who extended a heartfelt welcome to all the principals and headmasters from the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh region.
The primary objective of the meeting was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the NEP’s provisions and mechanisms, ensuring clarity among the educational leadership. The attendees were given insights into the new policies, procedures, and the urgent need for their implementation.
A noteworthy element of the discussions was Fr. Joseph Manipadam’s mention of the potential negative impact of the nationalization of minority educational institutions, drawing parallels to the “Vietnam model.” He emphasized the importance of being prepared to adapt to such scenarios should they be implemented by the government.
The meeting, which garnered attendance from a substantial number of institutions, saw the participation of 20 representatives. Regrettably, Dergaon, Jorhat, and Harmuty from the Assam region were unable to attend.
Fr. Joshua SDB, Principal of Don Bosco School, Itanagar, expressed gratitude on behalf of the participants for the resourceful insights shared during the meeting. He highlighted the urgency to implement new policies to safeguard the future of minority educational institutions.
During the proceedings, Bro Sunny SDB announced, “DB Tech Society is ready to assist our educational institutions in implementing NEP,” underscoring the collaborative effort within the Don Bosco network to align with the evolving educational landscape.
The meeting concluded on a note of gratitude to the DBS Dibrugarh community for hosting this insightful and enlightening event, which demonstrated the commitment of Don Bosco Schools to adapt and thrive in the face of evolving educational paradigms.
As the educational landscape undergoes transformation with the implementation of the NEP, Don Bosco Schools are poised to lead the way in embracing these changes to ensure a brighter and more robust future for their students.
(IND Webmaster and Fr Daniel P SDB)
