Counselors’ Twinning Programme at Pannur-Manvi

St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School runs a twinning programme with the Loyola Institutions in Pannur-Manvi, Raichur, from 5 March 2021 – 7 March 2021. It was a rewarding experience and an excellent opportunity for staff and students of both institutions to be able to exchange knowledge, expertise and know-how with each other.

One of the first initiatives of SJBHS, in the beginning of the year, was to send their in-house counsellors, a team of four, to Pannur-Manvi as part of the twinning programme. On arrival for the two-day event, the counsellors received a warm and grand welcome by the students, staff and Jesuit priests at Manvi, Loyola institutions. An interaction and discussion with the Principals of the different institutions in the campus helped curate and organize sessions based on the need of the staff and students.

The counsellors started day 1 with a group session conducted for the PUC students in the campus. The session began with an activity and briefing about counselling, the modus operandi and the purpose of the visit. The session was mainly themed around following dreams, setting goals, persevering through challenges, being self-confident and managing fears. The students were open and responded well to the session. Session 2 was similar but encompassed the high school students of both Loyola and Xavier’s. Post group meetings, the counsellors had a lot of individual sessions for students in need as they face many challenges such as loss, lack of physical and emotional support, anxiety to perform well, lack of self-confidence and the dearth of being heard.

Day 2 of the visit, by the counsellors, began with the visit to the school in Pannur. The session started with some singing. The students were involved in an activity focused on working together. The session was themed around togetherness, supporting one another and staying united despite the challenges. The students showed a lot of enthusiasm over the two days.

The counsellors then had sessions for the teachers of the school and college in Manvi and the teachers of the school in Pannur. It was an interactive and participative session focusing on the importance of staying motivated and taking care of oneself.

The counsellors were also able to give feedback, suggestions to the priests/ Principals of the different institutions for the good of all. The counsellors returned to St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, happy that they had accomplished a task yet totally transformed at the disparity within the social strata and the entitlement of the students in the cities as compared to the accommodative nature of the students in the neo-towns.