PREVENTIVE SYSTEM IN PRACTICE: INP Province hosts Salesian Pedagogy Workshop for Educators

22 Feb 2026

A two-day seminar–cum–workshop on Salesian Pedagogy was held on February 19-20, 2026 at the Don Bosco Provincial House Odxel, Goa, bringing together 48 participants—priests, brothers, sisters, collaborators, and teachers—from various Don Bosco institutions across the Province. The workshop, animated by resource persons Father John Parankimalil, secretary of SPCSA, AIDBES, and coordinator of Education and Culture for South Asia and Father Banzelao Teixeira, vice provincial of Salesian Province of Panjim, helped the participants to deepen their understanding of the educational vision of Don Bosco through interactive sessions.
The workshop commenced with a prayer service led by Sister Melissa D’Souza, followed by a warm welcome by Rector, Provincial House, Father Joel D’Souza who greeted the gathering and felicitated the dignitaries. Provincial, INP, Father Clive Telles, then addressed the participants, offering an orientation on Don Bosco’s pedagogy and encouraging them to actively engage in the learning process.
Father Parankimalil, chief resource person, conducted sessions that explored the Salesian Preventive System, pedagogy of presence, and accompaniment. He emphasised that teaching is a vocation and privilege rather than merely an occupation. Using incidents from Don Bosco’s life and examples of his past pupils, the sessions helped illustrate key aspects of the Preventive System. Inputs by Father Teixeira further enriched the programme, highlighting Don Bosco’s approach to guiding young people. The methodology included quizzes, chart work, creative activities, and short movie clips, ensuring active participation and interest.
Father Tamatur Cardozo, head of the education commission INP, delivered the concluding message on the second day. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Father Infancio Pires, followed by the distribution of certificates to the participants.
Participants expressed appreciation for the enriching and engaging nature of the workshop. Many noted that the varied activities—from simple exercises to more challenging tasks—made learning meaningful and enjoyable. The sessions were praised for emphasising empathy and practical learning in line with Don Bosco’s teachings, which participants found relevant to their institutional contexts. The workshop also prompted reflection on teaching practices and educator–student relationships, offering new insights andmethods to better understand and accompany young people. Participants departed with greater enthusiasm and renewed commitment to continue the Salesian educational mission in their respective institutions.