Fr Agnel’s Multipurpose School, Vashi, is setting a new benchmark in the field of education. It has decided to provide education support to two institutions in Ladakh.
A two-member team that visited Ladakh last month found a training programme for teachers the need of the hour. And Fr Agnel’s feels its support can be a game changer in the upgradation of education scenario in the war-torn zone.
The team, comprising vice-principal Vijaya Vaithilingam and a faculty Tejas Shah, recently returned after a 13-day ‘Make a Difference’ stint in Ladakh. The trip, they describe, as one of the best opportunity to understand the culture and socio-economic scenario of Ladakh.
Vaithilingam says talks of visiting Ladakh began during the Agnel Minithon in January. Marguerite Theophil, founder of WEAVE, an NGO established in 1990 to empower indigenous women, and a journalist approached managing director of Fr Agnel’s, Fr Almeida, seeking support for educational initiatives.
“The prospect of being able to do something for the children and teachers, braving hostile climactic conditions, seemed a must-have in the Agnel Minithon agenda,” she adds.
On August 15, they left for Ladakh and were received a traditional welcome by Theophil and Ven. Dr Tsering Palmo, the head of Ladakh Nuns’ Association (LNA). “The first venue for action was the LNA itself, which houses 40 Buddhist nuns aged between 9 and 18, under the guidance of Dr Palmo, a Tibetan medical practitioner and a nun with a missionary zeal,” says Vaithilingam. Dr Palmo’s mission is to educate girls from remote Ladakhi villages.
Breaking the age-old traditional practice, the LNA nuns attend regular schools (classes IV to XII) and receive formal education along with their religious training. “Life is not a cakewalk for them,” says Vaithilingam.
Shah, helped kids in solving their problems in math and science and also fixing their unused computers. While Vaithilingam worked on their language skills and social studies. “Our effort was to work on their study skills, and motivate them,” says Shah.
They also visited the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, a centre for alternative, innovative learning set up by Sonam Wangchuk, where they conducted a two-day workshop. They interacted with 40 energetic teenagers, which was an ‘amazing experience’ for both Agnelites.
They also visited schools there to understand the systems.
“It was a great learning experience to see the wonderful work people are doing,” said Vaithilingam.
After the visit, the most pertinent question was ‘what next’.
“This trip has made special connection between Agnel’s and Ladakh. We plan to get involved in teacher-training programmes for schools there, assist LNA and SECMOL students with distant education and do productive work there,” they concluded.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}