Catholic Board of Education Honours Retired Teachers and Academic Achievers at Annual Teachers’ Day Celebration
Mangaluru: The Catholic Board of Education (CBE), Mangaluru, organised its 37th Teachers’ Day Celebration and Felicitation Ceremony on Wednesday at Shanthi Kiran Hall, Bajjodi, Nanthoor. The event brought together education officials, heads of institutions, retired educators and meritorious students from across the Diocese of Mangaluru.
Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of the Diocese of Mangaluru and President of the CBE, presided over the programme. Shri Shashidhar G.S., K.E.S., Deputy Director (Administration), Department of School Education, Dakshina Kannada district, was the chief guest.
Bishop Highlights Teachers’ Role in Shaping Students
In his presidential address, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha highlighted the pivotal role teachers play in shaping students’ lives. He emphasised that the guidance and lessons educators impart remain valuable throughout life and serve as a lifelong compass.
Urging students to respect their teachers, the Bishop said accepting constructive correction and discipline was essential for personal development and moral clarity. He also encouraged educators to create learning environments that enable students to observe, learn from their experiences and develop critical-thinking skills.
He commended the teaching fraternity for its unwavering commitment and support and urged students to carry the lessons they learn from their teachers into their future endeavours.
Chief Guest Applauds District’s Academic Progress
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Shri Shashidhar G.S. highlighted the academic progress made by Dakshina Kannada district. Referring to the region as “Amchi Dakshina Kannada” (Our Dakshina Kannada), he lauded the collective efforts of the district’s educators.
He noted that the number of students failing in the district had declined significantly, from four digits to three digits last year. “This year, our collective aim is to bring it down to just two digits,” he said.
He emphasised that hard work is ultimately more important than success, adding that success, once achieved, must be sustained through continued effort. He congratulated the headmasters and headmistresses, attributing the district’s excellent results to their determination, leadership and dedicated service.
Retiring Educators Felicitated
A key highlight of the event was the felicitation of retiring teaching and non-teaching staff in recognition of their decades of dedicated service. Around 25 teaching staff members and 16 non-teaching staff members were felicitated.
Representing the retired educators, Smt. Pushpavathi A., Headmistress of St Joseph Higher Primary School, Kaliyoor, and Shri Everest Crasta, Headmaster of Cascia High School, Mangaluru, shared their reflections. They expressed their gratitude to the Catholic Board of Education for its support throughout their careers and spoke about the deep satisfaction they experienced in nurturing and guiding generations of students.
The student choir of Lourdes Central School, Bejai, rendered a soulful farewell and felicitation song in honour of the retiring staff, moving the gathering.
Academic Excellence Recognised
The event also recognised outstanding institutions and individual achievers.
- State- and Taluk-Level Awardees: Smt. Irene Leena Sequeira, Headmistress of St Joseph Higher Primary School, Nanthoor Padavu Calvary, who received the State-Level Best Teacher Award for 2025–26, and Smt. Teresa L. D’Mello, Headmistress of Infant Jesus Higher Primary School, Modankap, who received the Taluk-Level Best Teacher Award for 2025, were specially honoured.
- 100% Results: Thirty-six high schools that achieved a 100% pass percentage in the 2025–26 SSLC examinations were recognised. St Antony PU College, Naravi, and Lourdes Central School, Bejai, were also honoured for securing 100% results in the PUC examinations.
- Meritorious Students: Top rank holders and high achievers in SSLC, PUC, undergraduate and postgraduate examinations under CBE management were presented with certificates and cash prizes.
Programme Highlights
The programme began with a prayer dance performed by students of St Sebastian English Medium School, Permannur. Rev. Fr. Praveen Leo Lasrado, Secretary of the Catholic Board of Education, welcomed the dignitaries and delegates.
A tribute to deceased staff members and students was led by Rev. Fr. Stany Pinto, Headmaster of Holy Family English Medium School, Surathkal.
The programme was compered by Shri Santhosh Saldanha, Principal of Naravi PU College, Naravi.
Rev. Fr. Johnson Sequeira, Principal of Lourdes Central School, Bejai, and a Governing Board member of the CBE, proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the organisers, guests and participating institutions for the successful conduct of the event.
The programme concluded with the National Anthem, followed by an invocation by Rev. Fr. Santhosh Rodrigues, Director of the Shanthi Kiran Pastoral Centre, before the fellowship meal.
