Mangaluru: St. Aloysius B.Ed College, a leading institute for teacher education in the city, welcomed its 17th batch of students recently.

The programme commenced with introductory remarks by Preethi Pais, vice-president of the Students’ Council, followed by the College choir offering a prayer song.

Principal Dr. Farita Viegas, in her welcome speech, said, “The first day of new students in the College is one of the important days that initiate the transition of students. A teacher education programme is not just to earn a degree to get a job, but a course that is designed to prepare teacher candidates competent to face the challenges of the developments and trends of a dynamic society. The crux of the entire process of teacher education lies in its curriculum, which is sensitive to develop in pre-service teachers an understanding about the philosophy of education, child psychology, educational management, teaching skills, creating learning environments and a capacity to observe and analyze.”

Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Dr. Praveen Martis SJ, director of the College, narrated the evolution of Jesuit Education in India and, later, in Mangaluru. He highlighted the importance of the core values of Jesuit Education, namely, competence, compassion, commitment, conscience, creativity, character and collaboration. He also spoke on the significance of these values in the lives of teachers and students in forming a harmonious society.

Elizabeth Sebastian, who belonged to the 2019-21 batch, motivated the new students by sharing her experience, speaking on how the programme helped her improve her teaching skills and refine her talents.

“Teaching has always been the most sought-after and respected profession. Teachers shoulder a huge responsibility of enlightening the lives of students and opening the minds to a world of possibilities. B.Ed is an excellent course that helps trainees and teachers gain an in-depth understanding of the world of education. Teacher proficiency would enable the teachers to meet the requirements of the profession and face the challenges in the future,” she added.

The programme ended with the singing of the College anthem.

College staff members and family members of the new students attended the event.

Sandhya, staff in-charge, compered the programme.

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Alappuzha, (Kerala) (PTI): Four doctors in Kerala have been booked for allegedly failing to detect genetic disorders in a newborn while it was still in the mother's womb, the police said on Thursday.

The accused include two female doctors attached to the Kadappuram Government Women and Child Hospital in Alappuzha, along with two doctors from private diagnostic labs, according to the Alappuzha South police.

The police registered an FIR on Tuesday based on a complaint lodged by Anish and Surumi, a couple from Alappuzha.

They alleged that the doctors failed to detect or disclose the genetic abnormalities during prenatal scans, instead assuring them that the reports were normal.

The couple also claimed that they were shown the baby only four days after delivery, according to the complaint.

The FIR stated that Surumi, 35, was undergoing treatment for her third pregnancy at Kadappuram Women and Child Hospital.

On October 30, Surumi was admitted for delivery. However, she was referred to Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) in Vandanam, Alappuzha, citing the absence of fetal movement and heartbeat, the FIR said.

On November 8, the baby was delivered following surgery at MCH and was found to have severe internal and external deformities, the FIR stated.

Meanwhile, one of the accused doctors, responding to the allegations, said she had treated Surumi only during the initial months of her pregnancy.

"I provided care for three months at the beginning of her pregnancy. The reports shown to me indicated issues with the fetus's growth," she said.

The doctors associated with the diagnostic labs, however, maintained that there were no errors in the scan reports.

The police registered a case invoking Sections 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 125 (b) (where grievous hurt is caused, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the accused.