Mangaluru: The first annual conference of the Association of ICSE and CBSE schools of Udupi and DK district (AICS) was held at Bhuvana Jyothi Residential School, Shirthady on 30th and 31st October, 2015. The conference began with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the dignitaries led by Fr. Denzil Lobo, Rector of St. Aloysius group of institutions, Mangaluru.138 delegates including 38 ICSE and CBSE school Principals of Udupi and D K districts participated in the Conference. Dr. T.J. Quadros, President of AICS welcomed the gathering. This was followed by the introductory remarks of the Correspondent of the school Mr Jagathpal Ariga.
Fr. Denzil Lobo in his keynote address observed that education should result in transformation of the persons educated. “Mere information will not be enough. We must turn out children who work brilliantly and behave masterly. As leaders we must show the right example before our staff and children. We must follow the golden rule to treat others the way we would like to be treated. To be a great leader, one must first of all be a great person” added Fr Denzil. He stressed on the four C’s we need to cultivate – Competency, conscientiousness, compassion and commitment. Other prominent speakers of the first day were Mathew KG, Principal of Excel Public School, Mysore, Prof. Joselyn Lobo of Roshni Nilaya, and Dr. Robert Clive of Crossland College, Brahmavar.
The second day began with the keynote address by Prof. Mathew C. Ninan, Principal of Little Rock Indian School, Brahmavar. He invoked the progressive schools to set good traditions, and move ahead towards excellence. This journey has many personal, institutional and social dimensions and needs the effective leadership of a visionary principal. He emphasized that the principal shall be the prime-mover of a school and his or her primacy has to be respected by all stake-holders. We need to understand the principal’s pivotal role in a new light to chart the course and take our schools to greater heights.
The second day’s sessions were addressed by Arindam Roy Choudhary, Principal, Kalpavruksha Model School, Bailahongala and R Prem Kumar, Principal, Jawahar Navodaya, Shimoga. Dr. Gururaj Karajagi, Director of the Academy of Creative Teaching, Bengaluru in his valedictory stressed on the need to invest in the training of teachers to re-energize them. A school is only as good as its Principal, and only as effective as its teachers. All concerned including policy makers should recognize this fundamental truth and give them the needed support and autonomy to function effectively.
The conference ended with the summing up of the conference by Mr. Vidyavantha Acharya, Principal of Sharada Residential School, Udupi. Dr. T. J. Quadros, President of AICS made the concluding remarks. R. Prashanth D’Souza, Principal, Bhuvana Jyothi Residential School, Shirthady proposed a vote of thanks. Mrs Sushma Dinkar, Secretary of AICS was also present on the dais.
