Edu-Psychology

Mumbai Salesians’ Father [Dr.] Ajoy Fernandes who has a doctorate in Counselling Psychology with a major in Clinical Counselling and is Director Prafulta-Don Bosco Youth Counselling Services, Matunga-Mumbai, presents an online episodic video-series ‘Understanding and Helping Children with Learning Difficulties’. The video-series starting today 05 September, and to be aired on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month, on the MumbaiSalesians’ Youtube Channel, are broken up into short 10-minute interactive inputs describing the symptoms of learning and related difficulties; the formal and informal ways of assessing these difficulties; the types of beneficial interventions possible and the government-endorsed concessions across India. This is a Teachers’ Day gift from the famed clinical psychologist, as an appreciation to teachers all over, who mould, nourish, nurture, inspire, motivate, enlighten and mentor students on a daily basis.

Download:  Children with Learning Disabuilities  

The research study on the children of migrant construction workers in six cities of India: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kochi, Mumbai, and Pune, authored by Dr. Ajoy Fernandes, Director of Don Bosco Research Centre (DBRC) Mumbai, was released today at the 13th National Boscoree 2018 in Nashik, Maharashtra, by Father Maria Arokiam Kanaga, Don Bosco South Asia Regional Head of Operations.

This is a research study exploring the impact of the socio-economic and living conditions of migrant construction workers, especially on the health and education of their children. The book identifies local, state and national-level policies and schemes, particularly the good practice interventions of Government and Non-Governmental Organizations to help migrant construction workers gain access to entitlements for food, accommodation, health-care, and education for their children.

Fruit of a long-drawn labour of great intensity, involving Dr. R. B. Bhagat and Dr. R. S. Reshmi of the International Institute of Population Sciences, Mumbai, Dr. K. Anilkumar and Dr. Nilesh Gawde of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and Father Savio Silveira who provided technical guidance and training, the book opens up pathways for further research by civil and government organizations.

The herculean task of data collection across the six cities in India was handled by Shailesh Parmar of STEP Foundation, Ahmedabad, V. Shivshankar of Bengaluru, Chandana Das of Delhi, Dr. Ajith Kumar of the Centre for Socio-Economic and Environmental Studies, Kochi, Kerala, and Don Bosco Research Centre in Mumbai and Pune. Dr. Mansi Bawdekar of the Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work did the statistical analysis of the data.

Father Fernandes said, ”I am deeply indebted to the DBRC research, field, and accounting staff, to the Salesians of Don Bosco for the effort made to discuss this crucial topic in the light of earlier researches. The information and insights in this book will definitely be a valuable resource for all the stakeholders to understand the struggles of migrant construction workers and their children, and thus seek out interventions to assist them.”

The first copy of the book was presented to Mr Boman Irani by Father Kanaga. Mr Irani, a committed Don Bosco collaborator and acclaimed film personality remarked, ”it is really a challenge to work with the migrant population, especially children and youth. They need to be empowered with health and education.”

Father Joaquim Fernandes, South Asia Don Bosco Communications Delegate and Director of Tej-Prasarini Don Bosco said, ”This is a massive work of collaboration and coordination. With this publication, we Salesians of Don Bosco will be able to reach out better in a planned manner to uplift the migrant population, especially the children in our mega cities.”

This action-based research, conducted between February and May 2025, explores the academic and behavioural impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other external influences on students across seven Salesian schools in Mumbai. The study involved 56 in-depth interviews and 21 focus group discussions with over 250 students, parents, teachers, and school administrators.This study offers valuable insights for educators, parents, and policymakers to support holistic student development in a post-pandemic world.