The representatives from all the Mission School Boards
By DaliusLL
Sep 7 2022
SANDAKAN – After easing out of the COVID-19 movement control, the Diocesan Education Commission (DEC) held their first physical meeting at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre Aug 13.
Representatives from all the Mission School Boards of Governor from Holy Trinity Tawau, St Dominic Lahad Datu, and St Mary Sandakan were in attendance.
Bishop Julius Gitom graced the DEC meeting with an opening prayer and a warm welcome to all. He reaffirmed the members that it was God who called them to serve on the school boards as He knows each one of us, our capabilities, and talents which we can contribute to the church.
He added that their role in the mission schools is in line with the synodal practice of journeying, listening, sharing, inspiring, and interacting with one another and others.
“We are here to listen to one another, to learn success and failures (School Boards), and how these successes and failures are achieved and overcome,” underscored the prelate.
He stressed the importance of working together and encouraging one another in achieving their mission, and reminded that success and failure very much depend on teamwork and commitment.
Bishop Julius concluded with a reminder for the members to promote and encourage more Christian students to take up the Bible Knowledge subject in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia.
On the same note, he is aware of the dwindling Christian students in the mission schools but that should not hinder us from maintaining and upholding the ethos, characters, and traditions of the Mission Schools.
The Diocesan Education Commission (DEC) meeting
The meeting commenced right after Bishop’s opening address, and was chaired by the DEC chairperson, Zenia Petrus Gulitom.
Apart from the usual reporting on management and financial matters, Zenia highlighted one pertinent issue relating to the succession plan of retiring headmasters and principals in the mission schools.
The members are taken to task to start identifying and grooming potential Christian teachers as heads of schools. This is to ensure the mission schools’ ethos, characters, and traditions are safeguarded.
The meeting ended on time for the members to attend sunset Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral. After Mass, the DEC members adjourned to dinner, courtesy of Jerry Lo, chairman of SM St Mary and SK St Mary Town. Informal discussion on DEC continued during the dinner in the presence of Bishop Julius.
The next morning DEC members paid a visit to all the Mission schools in Sandakan parish, where they were briefed on the Christian student movement and the infrastructure progress.
During the walk-abouts, DEC members had the opportunity to share and exchang views, suggestions, and comments towards the betterment of the Mission schools.
In appreciation to DEC members, headmaster/principal, and teachers were given a memento each by the headmistress of SK St Mary Convent, Lucy Khan. – Diocese Of Sandakan
The DEC members paid a visit to the Mission schools in Sandakan parish
