Bihar Governor Lauds 150-year Education Service By Christian School, Stresses Role of Teachers in Na
14-12-2007
By SARNEWS
PATNA, Bihar(SAR NEWS) --Bihar Governor Dr. R. S. Gavai, inaugurating the sesquicentennial celebration of the Jesuit-run St. Michaels High School, Patna, lauded the noble contribution of Christian schools in educating children.
I am happy that St. Michael's High School has completed 150 years of service to humanity through education, he told some 4000 students, parents, members of the alumni association, well-wishers and members of other Christian educational intuitions gathered December 5, under a beautifully decorated shamiana in the sprawling campus of the school.
Appreciating the schools achievements he said he was proud that thousands of students have brought laurels to their alma mater through distinguished service to the nation.
Declaring the yearlong celebration of the founding of the school open, he said, Teachers are facilitators in developing childrens inner talents and play an important role in personality development of children, who are the foundation of our nation.
You are engaged in a noble profession, he told the teachers.
He also focused on the corporate responsibility of teachers, non-teaching staff, parents, guardians, and others in personality development of children.
Underscoring gender sensitivity, he said, We need to educate girl children for a better society. He pointed out that parents should teat boys and girls with equity.
Reporting on the activities and achievements of the school in the recent past, the Principal, Jesuit Father Peter Arockiasamy, said the present generation of students has carried forward the tradition of excellence of the school: in various co-curricular activities besides academics at the state level, national level and international level.
Recalling and thanking the earlier managements of the school, Father Peter said that the school, though started for orphaned children of the 1857 War of Independence, it realised the dream of its founder, Capuchin Bishop Anastasius Hartmann, the first Catholic Bishop of Patna.
Over the 150 years, the school has grown into a big tree from the small mustard seed planted in this very ground by Bishop Hartmann in 1858, he said.
The school was managed by Irish Christian Brothers from 1894 to 1969, and ever since, by the Jesuit missionaries of Patna.
With the motto Towards liberation together with the poor, the school has been reoriented from its elitist level to cater to the marginalised children as well. Aside some 2,300 students, the school premises also accommodate hundreds of poor, neighbourhood children, he said.
Moulding the future responsible citizens of this country, are our teachers and collaborators, he said.
On this day we recognize the hard work of parents and guardians for the development of their wards and fostering the creativity of each student, he added. A co-education school for over 15 years, we believe in the continual learning of both students and teachers. Teachers also have update training programmes and workshops particularly to sensitise them on the burning social issues such as HIV/AIDS and ecological pollution.
The inaugural celebration focused on the theme Festival of Creativity and Appreciation, said the Rector of St. Michaels Jesuit Father Thomas Perumalil. On the yearlong package of the sesquicentennial, We are planning a series of programmes for the alumni association, parents and for the public besides a souvenir to mark the sesquicentennial year, he told SAR News December 6.
Among the 15 cultural items staged by the students was a Bollywood number titled, Lose Control, Mast ke Pathshala (Enjoy Pleasure School) displayed by tiny tots with remarkable finesse as they synchronised their body movements to the beat of songs, much to the rapturous applause of the audience which comprised several civil and Church dignitaries.
