Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KM/SM)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Dec 1: An average student in schools may excel in the profession, provided he is tenacious. One must try to pursue and fight difficulties in life, said Dr Derek Lobo, retired regional advisor, South Asia WHO.
 
He was addressing the gathering at annual day celebration of St Aloysius College Higher Primary School held at school premises here on Thursday November 29.
 
Speaking on the occasion, he said that profession and trade are personal choice, but India has been an exception in this regard. Parents should nurture the interests of their children. Moreover India has retained ladder system where parents dominate the choice of children, rather than going by hearts, he added.

In developing countries like South Korea top priority is given to primary education. But in India it has been taken for granted. It is not somehow clearly understood that the strong foundation of any nation rests on the firm foundation of primary teaching, he added.
 
According to the recent survey, 83% of primary school teachers have expressed their boredom to teach at the primary level and expressed their desire to teach either at the higher levels like college or skip the profession. This shows lack of policies, he elaborated.
 
The role played by primary school teachers is indeed indispensable, as they lay a foundation for moral values. Hence school managements should see to it that only the highly qualified teachers will be appointed in primary schools, he suggested.
 
Patsy Lobo, facilitator, Teacher Foundation, was another chief guest for the day which was presided over by Fr Francis Serrao, rector, St Aloysius Institutions.
 
Fr Clifford Sequeira, correspondent of the School and Philomena Lewis were present on the occasion.