St. Francis De Sales School, Narengi, is one of the prominent multilingual, co-educational CBSE schools of Guwahati, Assam, that offers excellent prospects to students from LKG to Grade XII. SFS Guwahati has established itself as a prominent institution of learning, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and holistic development. We believe in empowering students to explore their potential, embrace diversity, and become compassionate global citizens.
From its inception, SFS school has aimed to impart the values of gentleness, patience, loving-kindness, and generous service to society. The primary motive behind the establishment of SFS Guwahati was to ensure that every child had access to affordable quality education. We recognize that education plays a crucial role in shaping a person's life and believe that financial constraints should not limit it. In a society where educational opportunities are often restricted to the privileged few, we aim to bridge the gap by providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for the middle class and underprivileged strata without excluding anyone. We envision a society where every child can unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the world regardless of their circumstances. By providing accessible and affordable education, we aim to empower our students to become lifelong learners, responsible citizens, and future leaders who will make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.
Principal George Thomas shares, “Reflecting on the past ten years as the Principal of SFS Guwahati, I feel deeply grateful for our collective journey as a school community. When I first assumed this responsibility, I approached it with a humble attitude and a genuine love for education. Our focus has been on fostering holistic development and academic excellence from the beginning. I believe in adapting to modern teaching methodologies and integrating technology into our education system to ensure our curriculum remains relevant and engaging for our students. The journey has been challenging yet incredibly fulfilling since the school empowers the teachers in skill and Knowledge coupled with a transparent and all-encompassing 360-degree appraisal process that is entirely system-driven. My leadership style has always centred on accessibility and genuine concern for the well-being of our students and staff. Together, we have built a collaborative and supportive community within the school, where open communication and teamwork are prioritized, which has enabled us to achieve the milestone of celebrating the Silver Jubilee of our institution in the year 2023 and helped us achieve the NABET Accreditation by Quality Council Of India, being the first and only institute of entire North-East India to receive so.”
SFS Narengi, Guwahati, is a school that has grown from strength to strength at a fast pace. The salubrious environment, discipline with respect, latest teaching tools and practices, 360-degree appraisal and feedback system, a pedagogy that is activity-based, experiential and technology-driven, and a high degree of intersection between scholastic and co-scholastic domains, coupled with state-of-the-art infrastructure and sports facilities and efficient and effective administration and processes makes SFS school all set for the new decades ahead with confidence.
As a school, newer ways of imparting education have arrived. An independent online cloud school coupled with online-based blended and hybrid learning where traditional classrooms will co-exist with online learning is something we want to explore seriously.
AI-driven personalized learning of individual students and introducing Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented reality (AR) for immersive learning experiences to make complex subjects and topics more understandable and engaging for students are close to our hearts for the immediate future. Pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Education and integrating Artificial intelligence, Robotics, Data Science, Machine learning, more skill-based subjects, and foreign languages into the daily curriculum is the need of the hour and our dream to pursue.
Global collaboration, adoption of local schools, being more sensitive to environment and sustainability education, gender diversity and inclusion, health and well-being, community engagement, creating global citizens with global mindset, career exploration, greater emphasis on soft skills and communication, more focus on ethical values and digital citizenship, newer ways of assessment and testing, obtaining international accreditations etc. are our plans for the future.
An institution can never progress and stay relevant unless solid values and ethics drive it. It is not enough to have values; they have to be worn by every stakeholder, particularly the management and educators of the school.
Guiding Principles and Values Inspiring SFS
Transparency Across Every Level: SFS embraces transparency at every juncture. Our commitment to openness is evident in publicizing school policies and programs, fostering fairness in decision-making related to student admissions and staff recruitment. Transparency is integral to our core values, reflected through accessible policies on our school website. We prioritize stakeholder input, striving for consensus in all matters.
Gentle Yet Firm Approach: In alignment with St. Francis de Sales' wisdom, our educational philosophy embodies being "gentle but firm." Our students and employees are cherished assets, and our approach combines nurturing with a firm commitment to our core values. Striving for the holistic development of individuals, we emphasize kindness, respect, and care while maintaining a steadfast commitment to our principles.
Critical Thinking and Scientific Temperament: By encouraging curiosity and questioning, SFS upholds the importance of scientific inquiry in pursuing knowledge. We reject unfounded beliefs, emphasizing evidence-based learning. Our vision is to cultivate discerning minds, fostering a rejection of false narratives through scientific scrutiny.
Nurturing Nature and Fostering Brotherhood: SFS is dedicated to environmental stewardship and universal brotherhood. We believe in the interconnectedness of all life, committed to protecting Mother Earth and promoting a sense of brotherhood/sisterhood among all individuals.
Best Practices Reflecting SFS Values:
Social Development Program for Students - 'Learning Out Together': An activity-based learning initiative, these trips encourage students to explore and learn beyond classrooms, fostering a deeper understanding of society.
Green Initiative among Students - 'My Class Plant': Fostering responsibility and love for nature, this project assigns students to care for a plant weekly, instilling a sense of ownership.
Initiatives for EWS Category Students - 'SFS SAFE Scholarship': Serving economically weaker sections, this scholarship program provides financial empowerment through two categories: Talent Nurturing Scholarship and Financial Empowerment Scholarship.
Ethical Values Among Students - 'Community Outreach Programs': Instilling empathy and social responsibility, this initiative supports elderly residents of aged homes and children from orphanages.
Overall Best Practices:
SFS Waterbell: A unique bell ringing at noon encourages students and staff to stay hydrated, promoting physical well-being.
Star Class: A transparent evaluation system based on attendance, discipline, punctuality, cleanliness, and cooperation, fostering a sense of responsibility.
Star Teacher: A performance-based appraisal system emphasizing professional growth and development, aligning with specific competencies and standards.
Star Assembly: Class-wise assemblies showcasing talents, discipline, and unity, promoting all-round development.
SFS Street Library & Class Library: Promoting knowledge sharing, the Street Library and Class Libraries encourage reading and the exchange of books among students.
Desalite Olympiad for Students & Teachers: A yearly examination assessing student proficiency and deficiencies, along with a Teacher's Olympiad for professional growth.
Desalite Connect: In-house management software providing real-time updates and notifications, enhancing the digitalized education process.
Parents Competition: An annual talent showcase by parents, fostering community involvement and recognition.
Parent as Teacher Program: An innovative practice where parents act as teachers for a day, creating a collaborative learning culture.
360-Degree Appraisal and Feedback: A comprehensive feedback system involving various stakeholders, ensuring a well-rounded assessment of teachers and staff performance. Anonymous surveys, observations, and open dialogues contribute to continuous improvement.
Diversity in Beliefs
Diversity in beliefs is a cornerstone of human existence, with individuals embracing a broad spectrum of spiritual and religious perspectives. As India is a secular country, people come from different religious, linguistic and ethnic backgrounds. North East India is a cradle of Diversity and Pluralism. It's a miniature India. The students in our school are no different. It's a garden of diversity where everyone gets to bloom and spread fragrance, enhancing every student's learning environment.
Schools must acknowledge the diverse religious beliefs of their students. Students bring their cultural and religious backgrounds into the educational environment, and schools must respect and understand these differences. Diversity in beliefs is a hallmark of our society, and nowhere is this more evident than in our schools, where students bring a rich tapestry of spiritual and religious perspectives. If we treasure the students, we must also treasure their diverse beliefs and religious sentiments.
Few Challenges Associated with Diversity in Beliefs:
Encounters with unfamiliar spiritual and religious beliefs within the school community may sometimes result in misconceptions and stereotypes among students and educators. This could contribute to the persistence of biases and the development of different factions based on faith.
Also, managing conflicting values within the classroom can be a delicate task. Balancing these values while maintaining a positive and harmonious environment requires proactive measures.
Another Challenge is crafting a curriculum sensitive to students' diverse spiritual and religious backgrounds. The curriculum should reflect inclusivity without inadvertently promoting one belief system over another.
Few Opportunities in the School Environment:
Managing pluralism is a challenge but an enabling opportunity to educate young minds about the beauty of pluralism and diverse ways of life. In a school environment like SFS, where heterogeneity in beliefs and practices are not uncommon, it's an opportunity to mould young minds to live together in harmony and peace.
Cultural Enrichment in the Classroom can be a possible way out, as embracing diversity in beliefs enriches the classroom with various cultural and spiritual traditions. This creates opportunities for students to learn from one another and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Tolerance and empathy building is another way that any school can practice. Schools promoting spiritual and religious diversity contribute to developing tolerance and empathy. Students learn to appreciate differences, breaking down stereotypes and fostering a more inclusive school community.
Few Strategies for creating an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates religious diversity.
Promote Universal brotherhood -
As the school community at SFS, we stand out because, irrespective of the diversity of religious beliefs, we collectively strive for 'Humanity' and 'Universal Brotherhood.’ At SFS School, fostering a universal brotherhood culture is a foundational strategy for cultivating an inclusive environment that reveres and embraces religious diversity. This approach encourages students to view each other as part of a more prominent human family, transcending individual differences. SFS School actively nurtures an atmosphere where every student feels valued and understood through various school initiatives, such as collaborative projects and shared visions.
Consciously Cultivate Diversity Inclusive Community
Inclusion revolves around providing all students equal access to learning opportunities, regardless of their needs or challenges. It emphasizes creating a supportive and adaptable educational environment accommodating diverse learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds.
At SFS School, fostering an inclusive environment that embraces and celebrates religious diversity is a deliberate and integral part of our ethos. We prioritize consciously cultivating diversity in our student community and our staff. In the selection process for students and employees alike, we actively seek individuals from diverse backgrounds, recognizing the inherent value that pluralistic perspectives bring to the educational experience. This deliberate approach extends beyond mere representation; it creates an atmosphere where individuals feel valued and respected for their unique beliefs.
Conscientize Students that we are ‘Children of the Earth’
Central to this strategy for creating an inclusive environment is the concept of conscientizing students to recognize themselves as 'Children of the Earth.' This perspective encourages a shared sense of interconnectedness and mutual respect, emphasizing the commonality that unites us as inhabitants of this planet. By instilling in students the understanding that we all belong to a broader human family, irrespective of religious affiliations, we promote unity and appreciation for diversity. The emphasis should be on fostering a culture of understanding, acceptance, and mutual respect. To begin with, educators can implement educational initiatives that provide unbiased information about various world religions, promoting awareness and dispelling misconceptions.
Celebrate diverse beliefs
Another strategy for creating an inclusive environment is to designate areas within the school where students can express their religious identities comfortably. Consider creating a quiet reflection space open to students of all faiths. This space can serve as a sanctuary for those seeking a moment of contemplation or prayer. Also, special counselling sessions can be arranged with full-time counsellors and special educators.
Inculcate scientific temperament and critical thinking
Educating the students from childhood not to be swayed by falsehood and inadequate narratives is the need of the our when young minds are exposed to so much of external noise. Paramount focus is to be given to cultivate the new age skills of scientific temperament and critical thinking among students from their formative years. The objective is to empower students to navigate a world saturated with information, ensuring falsehoods or apparent narratives do not easily sway them. This educational strategy aims to create an inclusive environment where diverse religious beliefs are respected and celebrated as students develop the ability to appreciate different perspectives through critical thinking and scientific inquiry.
Teach Respect for Pluralism:
At SFS School, an integral strategy for fostering an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates religious diversity is to promote the active teaching of respect for pluralism. The action plan for instilling respect for pluralism within its community is a comprehensive approach encompassing scholastic and co-scholastic activities. The plan begins with a thorough needs assessment and creates a cultural competence curriculum aligned with the school's values. Ongoing professional development opportunities for educators, including workshops and seminars, are provided to enhance their cultural competence and teaching skills. Multifaith activities, student-led initiatives, and parental involvement are essential to actively engaging the school community.
Fostering religious inclusivity in schools is a multi-faceted endeavour requiring commitment to educators, students, parents, and the broader school community. By implementing these strategies, schools can create an environment where religious diversity is acknowledged and celebrated. In doing so, we contribute to developing empathetic and open-minded individuals prepared to thrive in a global society that values and respects differences because at the end ‘Humanity’ is what we all strive for.