Teachers’ Day celebrated jointly by CBE and CESU-Retired Teachers and meritorious students hon

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 05 Sep 2015: For the first time, the Catholic Board of Education(CBE) Mangalore in association with the Catholic education Society of Udupi(CESU) organized the celebration of Teachers Day on Friday, 4 September 2015 at 10 am in St. Mary’s English Medium High School campus, Kannarpady, Udupi  to honour the already retired and would be retiring teachers during the academic year 2015-16 belonging to Udupi Diocese, meritorious students who stood first among the students of Catholic educational Institutions in SSLC, PUC, Graduate and Post Graduate level  and the educational institutions which had highest result (100%) in the examinations held in March/April 2015.

 

The Teachers Day celebration function was presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese and President of CESU. Vinay Kumar Sorake, Urban Development Minister and Minister in Charge of Udupi District was the chief guest. Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA from Udupi and Diwakar Shetty, Administrative Deputy Director of Public Education Department, Udupi were the guests of honour. Rev. Fr. Gerald D’Souza, Secretary of CBE, Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza, Secretary of CESU and Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Correspondent of St. Mary’s Educational Institutions, Udupi, Dean of Udupi Varado and Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi were also on the dais.

 

The programme began with the prayer song by the students of Milagres English Medium School, Kallianpur followed by welcome dance by the students of St. Mary’s English Medium High School, Udupi.

 

Following the welcome address and floral welcome of the dignitaries on the dais by Rev. Fr. Gerald D’Souza, Vinay Kumar Sorake felicitated the students from different schools, PU Colleges and Degree colleges who secured highest marks at SSLC, PUC, Graduation and Post Graduation levels among the educational institutions within Udupi Diocese governed by CBE/CESU.

 

In his address to the students and teachers, Vinay Kumar Sorake while complementing the students for securing highest marks said that the teachers are next to God as their mission of shaping the lives of the youngsters is as important as the lives given to them by God. He said that it was chiefly due to the hard work of the teachers and students that Udupi District has had the distinction of securing first position among the districts in Karnataka in SSLC examination, second position in PUC, second position in CET, eighth rank in IAS and first position  in Aksharadasoha. While appreciating the task of all educational institutions spread across Udupi District for the stellar performance in public examination, Vinay Kumar Sorake highlighted the fact that the Catholic Educational Institutions had played a special role in imparting quality education to the youth. Further he said that he was a proud student of one of the Catholic educational institutions.

 

 

Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo along with the dignitaries on the dais  honoured the retired and would be retiring teachers during the academic year 2015-16 right from the primary, higher primary, high school, PUC and college level by offering them shawl,  fruit basket, flowers and memento.

 

Pramod Madhwaraj felicitated the heads of educational institutions which had registered 100 percent results in SSLC and PUC examinations held in March/April 2015.

 

In his message, Madhwaraj said that the reason for the progress of education in Udupi District has been the spread of Christian educational institutions. Speaking further he said that the students, teachers and managements of institutions have more pressure in modern times than earlier days. Scoring 100 percent result in one year is not enough. The pressure is to keep it up for the successive years which may prove difficult when even one dull student may shatter the dream run of 100 percent result.  He also said that the students in modern times are quit knowledgeable due to their exposure to multi-media and it is necessary that the teachers should keep up their efforts in gaining additional knowledge and information so as to keep a step ahead of the students.

 

Diwakar Shetty felicitated Mrs. Irene Rodrigues, Headmistress of Don Bosco English Medium School, Shirva who has been selected for  the Udupi District level Best Teacher  Award for the year 2014-15.

 

Speaking at this occasion, Diwakar Shetty said that if the Udupi District has achieved higher  results this year at various levels, the credit should belong to the teachers as it was they who had put in extra hours and efforts in achieving these results.

 

Three teachers recalled their service in their respective educational institutions on behalf of the retired teachers who were honoured on this day. L.J. Fernandes of St. Mary’s High School, Kundapur, Mrs. Lorna Coelho from St. Lawrence Higher Primary School, Attur-Karkal and Prof. N.M. Hegde from Milagres College, Kallianpur.

 

In his presidential address, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo said that it is through education one can move from darkness to light and this noble task is being done by the teachers. If home is the first school and mother is the first teacher, it is the educational institution and the teachers who shape the lives of  thousands of children and youngsters. Teaching is not only a profession but a vocation. A teacher is like a potter who can give shape to the lives and futures of many students as the potter can prepare any kind of vessel or image out of shapeless clay. The Bishop pointed out three outstanding qualities that should be possessed by a teacher: That he or she should consider and love the students as his or her own children; should love the teaching profession and dedicate oneself to it; and love and respect the institution where he or she teaches.

 

Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. The entire programme was efficiently anchored by  Vinay and Amrita.

 

The students of St. Mary’s English Medium School presented a group song, a tableau dance, a skit about a teacher and students and a dance.

 

Following the National Anthem, Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese recited the grace before the meal and the Teachers Day function ended with sumptuous vegetarian meal.

 

The entire arrangement of the Teachers Day celebration was well executed by the Principal and staff members of St. Mary’s English Medium School, Kannarpady under the able guidance of Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, the Correspondent and Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza, Secretary of CESU. The welcome sign at the entrance of the school, the floral and rangoli designs and the quotations appropriate for the occasion in the auditorium were quite attractive and meaningful. The efforts of the entire staff of St. Mary’s English Medium School and the authorities are indeed appreciable.