DIOCESAN EDUCATION COMMISSION OF SANDAKAN MEETING

Reported by,
DaliusLL

Sandakan: After easing movement control due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Diocesan Education Commission (DEC) held their physical meeting in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Diocese of Sandakan on the 13th. August 2022 at 1 pm. All the Mission School Board of Governor’s representatives from Holy Trinity Tawau, St. Dominic Lahad Datu, and St. Mary Sandakan were in attendance.

His Lordship Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom graced the DEC meeting with an opening prayer and a warm welcome to all of them. The prelate reaffirmed to the members that it was God who called them to serve on the school boards as the Lord knows each one of us, our capabilities, and talents that 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.

With regards to the DEC meeting, the Prelate said, we are here to listen to one another, to learn the success and failures (School Boards) and how these successes and failures are achieved and overcome. He stressed the importance of working together and encouraging one another in achieving their mission, and he reminded us that success and failure very much depend on teamwork and commitment.

In his concluding speech, Bishop Julius called upon the members to promote and encourage more Christian students to take up the Bible Knowledge subject in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia at the same note, he is aware of the dwindling Christian students in the mission schools but he said will not hinder us from maintaining and upholding the ethos, characters, and traditions of the Mission Schools.

The meeting commenced right after Bishop’s Speech, which was chaired by the DEC Chairperson, Mdm. Zenia Petrus Gulitom @ Rose. Apart from the usual reporting on management and financial matters, Mdm. 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 just before the members could attend sunset Mass in St. Mary’s Cathedral. After Mass, the DEC members adjourned to dinner, courtesy of Jerry Lo, the Chairman of SM St. Mary and SK St. Mary Town. Informal discussion on DEC continued during the dinner with the privilege of Bishop Julius’ attendance.

The next morning’s program was a visit to all the Mission schools in Sandakan parish, whereby the DEC members were briefed on the Christian student movement and the infrastructure progress. During the walkouts to every school, DEC members had the opportunity to share and exchanged views, suggestions, and comments towards the betterment of the Mission schools. In appreciation to attendees DEC members, Headmaster / Principal, and teachers were given a memento each by the Headmistress of SK St. Mary Convent, Mdm. Lucy D. Khan.