St Agnes PU College holds Staff Enrichment Session

Mangaluru: St Agnes PU College is a premier Institution run by the Apostolic Carmel Congregation, aiming to educate young women into responsible citizens in society. The Apostolic Carmel Congregation educational society has introduced the concept of service learning as a part of their curriculum. In this regard, St Agnes PU College organised a staff enrichment session on March 6, 2024, on the topic “Service Learning: An Approach to Education of the Heart, Head, and Hands” by Dr. Sr. Dorothy Dsouza, Principal of St. Ann’s College of Education (Autonomous) and an esteemed alumna.

Sr Judith Frank welcomed and introduced the speaker to the gathering. Dr Sr Dorothy is a passionate educator with a wealth of experience in implementing service learning initiatives. She began her session by illuminating the essence of service learning. She emphasized its holistic approach to education, integrating community service with the curriculum to nurture emotional, intellectual, and practical growth in students.

Service learning is an educational reform plan. In her session, she focused on the key elements, components, and stages of service learning. Through her real-life instances during her service learning program in Cambodia and Paris, she illustrated the impact of service learning on oneself as well as on society. She shared her expertise in the types of service learning activities that can be organised for the students. The role of staff in implementing this program is crucial, so she urged the staff to plan in such a way that it is more about learning and less about service.

At the end of the session, the staff was made to reflect on concrete ideas for implementing service learning within their respective streams. This interactive exercise encouraged creativity and sparked discussions on innovative approaches to integrating service learning into curricular and extracurricular activities. Mrs Pramila D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks.

The session was truly an encouraging one for the staff to put on their thinking caps and implement it for the coming academic year, upholding the vision and mission of the Institution and bringing about a transformation in society.