Media Release
Udupi, Sep 14: A day’s workshop on 'Integrity and Ethics' was arranged at Mother Theresa hall of St Mary’s English Medium School (CBSE), Kannarpady, here in collaboration with CBSE, to meet the present-day challenges, the erosion of ethics from society and imparting it in the minds of students and prepare the children to face the situations in the real world.
34 teachers from 15 schools of Udupi and Mangaluru, 30 teachers from the host school became part of this enriching and informative workshop which was formally inaugurated by invoking the blessings of the Almighty and lighting the lamp. The formal function was presided over by Fr Valerian Mendonca, correspondent of St Mary’s Educational Institutions, Udupi.
Rita Quadros, vice principal of the school welcomed all and introduced the resource person, Kusum KP, principal SMS Academy of Central Education, Virajpet, Kodagu to the gathering.
"The present world is facing a serious problem of washing away of values and ethics, which is a serious issue on which we need to reflect. Having idealism is something healthy, but there is a lot of difference in idealism and reality. Teachers are asked to teach truth and justice, but in the real world, the children see corruption everywhere. There is a wide gap between values taught by media and values taught in class, there is a clash between good and evil in society," said Fr Valerian Mendonca in his presidential address. He asked the teachers to teach not by words, but by their lives being role models. He called on the teachers to teach morality and ethics by words, actions and values inculcated by the teachers in their lives.
The resource person of the day, Kusum began her session with interaction wherein she said, "Integrity and ethics are serious matter, but there is hope. What I do to myself is what I do to others was the tagline used by her in the beginning to start her session. The speaker of the day asked the teachers to believe in whatever they do, update knowledge and admit mistakes, so that students can follow the teacher. Ethics is a set of rules given by an authority and Integrity is what is right according to you, which should respect the entire humankind. Integrity sometimes becomes so strong that it goes against Ethics."Several videos were shown on the concept and activities like role play and gallery walk were conducted wherein all the teacher participants actively took part and gained practical experience. The professional quoted, “Cognitive consonance to be avoided otherwise it will kill your professionalism.” She ended her session with a beautiful message, “Smile and prove that you are hope.”
In a formal valedictory ceremony, teachers from different schools came up with their feedback. The resource person was presented a memento as a token of respect by the principal on behalf of the school.
Vinay Suvarna coordinated the programme. Nayana from the host School expressed words of gratitude. Fr Johnson Lawrence Sequeira, principal of the school provided all the guidance and was supportively present throughout.