Media Release
Mangaluru, May 24: St Agnes School CBSE proudly hosted the CBSE capacity building workshop on environmental education and conservation of natural resources in School Block 2 Hall on May 23. The workshop was conducted under the directives of the Central Board of Secondary Education as part of its nation-wide initiative to equip teachers with the knowledge and strategies needed to incorporate environmental education and the conservation of natural resources meaningfully into school curricula.
Deputed by the Central Board of Secondary Education, the resource persons for the day were Dr Shwetha Kamath, freelance school counsellor and remedial educator at Shree Gujarati English Medium School, and Prashanthi Shetty, retired DPS educator and academic mentor, respectively. They were accorded a symbolic welcome with a writer’s cradle, a pen stand, in keeping with the school’s tradition of thoughtful and meaningful gestures. The writer’s cradle symbolises stability, intellect, and the nurturing of ideas, qualities that resonate deeply with the educators being welcomed. Just as a pen stand holds the tools that shape thought and expression, their presence anchored the day in intellectual purpose and inspired engagement.
The programme commenced with a solemn prayer, invoking collective reflection and peace. This was gracefully followed by the lighting of the lamp, a ceremonial gesture symbolising the dispelling of ignorance and the kindling of knowledge. This was succeeded by a welcome address and the formal introduction of the resource persons, delivered by Neesha. During this segment, a potted blossom was offered to Dr Shwetha Kamath, Prashanthi Shetty, by the principal Sr Maria Sarika as a token of appreciation symbolizing growth, sustainability, and the nurturing spirit of education that the workshop sought to amplify.
The session unfolded with Dr Shwetha Kamath addressing the vital theme of promoting mental health and well-being among students, urging educators to upskill through courses and digital modules. This was followed by four dynamic sessions led by expert facilitators. Prashanthi Shetty began with insights into environmental education, degradation, and awareness. Session two led by Dr Shwetha Kamath, explored biodiversity, air quality index, and ecosystem resilience. Post-lunch, session three focused on sustainable water management and applying the 6Rs of conservation to waste management in schools. The final session highlighted the significance of Sustainable Development Goals. The workshop featured a rich blend of real-life case studies, thought provoking examples, interactive group and pair activities, individual tasks, engaging picture prompts, and hands on recapitulation exercises, most notably the creation of a pollution catcher, each thoughtfully designed to anchor sustainable thinking within everyday pedagogy.
Participants responded with enthusiasm and thoughtful engagement, actively partaking in discussions and sharing perspectives. The feedback highlighted how the session expanded their pedagogical approach and deepened their commitment to sustainable practices within and beyond the classroom.
The workshop culminated with a gracious vote of thanks by Velony, acknowledging the insightful guidance of the resource persons, the support of the CBSE board, the encouragement of the principal, and the enthusiastic involvement of the teaching staff. The event stood as a powerful reminder that when educators are equipped with the right tools and inspiration, they become key agents of change in building a more sustainable world. The program was expertly compered by Velony, who skillfully guided the proceedings.
The day’s proceedings left a lasting impact, reminding all in attendance that the seeds of change often lie in the hands of those who teach. This workshop not only reaffirmed St Agnes School’s commitment to quality education but also strengthened its vision to cultivate teachers who will lead future generations toward a greener and more responsible tomorrow.