Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (VP)
Mangaluru, Dec 14: In a unique programme ‘Our Voice Our College: Students governance in action’, Milagres College students' council took charge of academics for a day here on Thursday December 14, where all the responsibility of academics and other roles and responsibilities of teachers was taken over by the students' council.
The programme was solely created to ensure that students understand the responsibilities that their professors take and giving them a day to manage as teachers.
The day started with an inspection to check the ID cards. During the inspection, the students saw that the principal of the institution Fr Michael Santhumayor himself was not wearing his ID card for which he was made to pay fine. A group of 58 students took over the responsibility of the college including the roles of principal and vice principal along with 7 HOD and 49 faculty members.
Fr Michael Santhumayor, principal of Milagres Degree College said, "Today, we are in different attire and I am not the principal. My students are today's principal, vice principal and teachers. This decision was taken by students when they approached us with such an idea. We wanted to encourage them and hence we gave them this day. The students today will manage all activities and teachers will just monitor them and give them grades accordingly. The students will engage in all activities such as taking up classes and ensuring the discipline of other students. This opportunity is given to the students as I believe that students must be given responsibilities. When the student union takes the oath, they promise that they will engage in school activities. It is our duty to ensure that they get a chance to exercise their duty.
He also added, “Today, the students will realise that teaching is not an easy job and when they take our responsibility, they will understand the difficulties that teachers go through. I have full belief that the students will do very well.”
The college pupil leader (CPL) and principal for the day, Denson D’Silva said, "The student council had requested the principal that it will manage the college for a day including academics and discipline. The principal agreed to give us this opportunity. Today, every work including taking classes and managing the discipline is all on the shoulders of the student council. We are a team of 58 students who will be handling the whole institute. This opportunity is very valuable since the management felt that we are capable of taking this responsibility. The whole student council is very thankful to the college management.”
Trishool R Anchan from 2nd year BHS, vice principal of the college for the day said, "Till today, I was the vice president of the student council. But today, I am the vice principal of the college and also the head of discipline committee. We had to fine our friends for being late and take action against them. Though it is a very different experience, it is helping us to understand how the teachers respond to various situations. We are hoping that the day goes very well for us. I would like to thank the management for listening to our ideas and allowing us to take today's responsibility.”
Naomi A Ebenezer, final year, interior designer student, faculty for the day said, "The day is going quite good and this is a decision taken by the student council. When this idea was presented, it got approved. Our jobs and responsibilities among the council has been distributed. Everyone has their own responsibility including teaching. It is a different feeling and our confidence is sky high.”
Shreyan S, final year BCom student, HOD commerce for the day said, “The feeling is completely different. Now that we are the teachers, we have to oversee discipline. In addition, we are happy that we received a chance like this.”
The programme concluded in the afternoon after which an evaluation session was conducted. Students along with staff and principal discussed the negative and positive points regarding the session. Eleven students shared their experience of being lecturer for a day. They also added that it was a very good opportunity and learning process. The coordinator of the event Denzil E Pinto appreciated and said that all the student faculties played their roles very well. Positive remarks were given by the staff to all the students.