It is a shame in the manner in which De Nobili Schools are being targeted by certain section of media and fundamentalists in Dhanbad. The decision to raise the student fees was solely based on the reccomendation of the 6th pay commission. While the government and corporate employees enjoy a high salary, teachers in De Nobili cannot be deprived of the same.

There has often been issues about the detoriating quality of teachers at DNS. If I may put it in simple words, Good teachers come with Good salary. DNS does not have any corporate or political backing nor does it get an funds from 'phoren' (a general perception) or the government. Where would the money come from? DNS has always depended on donations and fees.

School administration understand the problems faced by parents when they have to spend extra to give private tutions. The school promises to take a very serious stand on private tutions being given by DNS teachers. Proposals include special classes/tutorials for weak students and inviting reputed alumni as honorary teachers for 3-6 months.

Suggestions from alumni, parents and students on how to further improve the quality of education at DNS are welcome. PLS REMEMBER WE ARE NOT A PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATION. WE HAVE A LEGACY OF 52 YEARS THAT WE INTEND TO PRESERVE.

Some 'old boys' have been seen in the crowd that assembled outside DNS. The purpose: To put locks on the DNS gates. It is really sad, specially as DNS turns 53 year-old this month. I dont know who will suffer the most if locks are actually put on DNS -- the present students, the teachers, the alumni or the people of Dhanbad.

Here is an extract on how it all began 53 years back, "In the early 1950s, the prominent people in the coalfield asked the Jesuit fathers of Jamshedpur Province to open a Cambridge school for their sons and wards. Jesuits were already running Loyola School, in Jamshedpur, on the invitation of Late J.R.D. Tata. Fr. F. X. McFarland, S.J. an American Jesuit, was the pioneer, under whose able guidance, De Nobili School started, in a rather humble way, in the unfinished girls school building at the Fuel Research Institute, Jealgora, (now Digwadih) courtesy, the then Director of F.R.I., Late Dr. Adinath Lahiri. It had 36 students with teachers. That was February, 1956..."

I urge alumni who know anyone in the government or administration to kindly help DNS get a proper security and if possible influence the fundamentalist elements from making DNS a political issue in the forth coming elections.

Regards
Kunal Majumder (ISC 2003)
Honorary Editor
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