Thursday, June 8, 2017

40 YEARS OF THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS IN BAJPE by Mr Hubert Furtado

40  YEARS  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  BROTHERS  IN  BAJPE


True to their motto,  “To Do  -  To Teach”, the Christian Brothers took up the noble task of providing education to the people in and around Bajpe in 1977.  Since then, by their hard work, dedication and vision, they have taken St. Joseph’s educational institution at Bajpe to new heights, be it in education, sports, extra-curricular activities ;  and have boosted the potential of the student community.  The teaching and non-teaching staff have rendered enormous support in their endeavour.

In these precious four decades, they gave a concrete shape to St. Joseph’s.  They stood for academic excellence, discipline and Christian Brothers’ values and a sense of family atmosphere in the institution.  They have given special support to socially and economically weaker students.

Academic Development 

Rev. Fr. Leo Carvalho started St. Joseph’s High School in  1945 ;  it was upgraded to St. Joseph’s P.U.College in  1972.  Rev. Br. Wilfred and Rev. Br. C.J.Harrison arrived in 1977 and took charge in 1979.  By  1987  they were able to secure more than  90 %  results.  In fact Elizabeth D’Souza  secured  6th rank in Arts and Jessy Janet Sequeira  8th rank in  1986.  Initially we had three sections in Kannada medium in the high school  -  later on, to meet the needs of airport officials and help out Central Government employees, one section of Kannada medium was converted to English medium.

During  1988 – 1995, Br. Conrad D’Souza took up the baton of St. Joseph’s.  Besides being a strict disciplinarian, he made every effort towards the all-round development of the institution.  He took up the initiative for the construction of the Golden Jubilee building in the campus.  He supported Computer education and started technical courses  under the J.O.C.  in 1991-92  for the benefit of the students.  He provided computers by arranging the necessary funding.

Br. Hector Pinto the present principal is active, young, energetic and dynamic.  He took charge in  1995.  Under him, St. Joseph’s grew by leaps and bounds.  Being an able leader, administrator and pleasing personality, he has given a rich contribution to our college. 

He introduced the Science section in  1996.  Initially the strength of the students was  30,  which gradually went up to  80  with  100 %  results.  To meet the growing demand for commerce, a new section was introduced in  2009  and one more batch in  2013-14.  We have a well experienced commerce staff which secured  95 %  results every year.  We have many distinctions to our credit.

In the Arts section, we have experienced and dedicated staff, so it is not surprising that we have been getting more than  95 %  results every year, with many distinctions.  We have been giving special attention to the students who are weak in studies. 

And in the  SSLC,  we have secured more than  95 %  results, with many distinctions.  From this year [2016-17],  special recognition is given to any student who secures  100 %  in each subject, as well as for securing distinctions, to keep up the competitive spirit.

Infrastructure and Facilities

The Christian Brothers have provided all facilities and other supportive measures to give quality education to the students, parents and the general public.  The most recent classroom building was constructed during the time of Br. Charles.

Our library is well equipped with a wide variety of books, periodicals, magazines and newspapers.

We have good labs where students get practical experience.  We have well maintained and clean toilets, including a new toilet block.  An employee is in charge of cleanliness. The canteen is well patronized, which speaks of the quality of the products on offer.  There are good drinking water facilities, and generators to cope with power failure.  Our gardens are well maintained (under the personal supervision of the Principal !) and a sufficient number of dustbins to discourage littering.

There is a  CCTV  system with sufficient number of cameras in each classroom to hold the  Karnataka PU exams.  Each office has a desktop computer and xerox.  We have a large auditorium with an open stage which is used, not only for cultural and extra-curricular events, but also for indoor badminton. 

The Christian Brothers are known for the importance they give to sports and athletics.  We have two spacious playgrounds.  Our institution has produced many taluk level, district level, state level and national level players and teams.  Our present principal Br. Hector Pinto being a lover of volleyball and football has taken personal interest to  host many inter-college matches and tournaments.  In fact Ms. Prajna Alva and Ms. Lavita Correa have been recognized as national level volleyball players.

Co-Curricular Activities 

St. Joseph’s has various clubs and hosts different competitions, each one designed to help students to shape their personalities

Staff

 Regular appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff have ensured that there is no dearth of qualified and  dedicated people wherever needed.  There is a friendly and healthy atmosphere among them.  Staff picnics once a year help it along.  Members of the staff approaching retirement are feted in the traditional manner.  Among the seminars organized for teachers, the Christian Brothers maintain a programme  “Called and Gifted”  during which members of the staff of eighteen institutions receive inputs and more importantly cement bonds across the country.

To put it in a nutshell, the contribution made by the Christian Brothers in many different areas has been commendable, and unforgettable.  The family of St. Joseph’s College wish them all the best and God’s blessings as they set out for pastures new.

Mr. Hubert Furtado,
Lecturer in Political Science

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