Day: June 16, 2025

Verla, Goa – 16 June 2025: In a meaningful step toward advancing modern education and skill-based learning, PACT Foundation inaugurated upgraded smart classrooms at the Don Bosco Youth Welfare Centre, Verla, under its flagship Happy School Project. The ceremony was led by Dr Ashwin Fernandes, Founder and President of PACT Foundation, who inaugurated the technology-integrated classrooms on Monday 16 June 2025. 

The Don Bosco Society, known for its deep commitment to education and youth development, runs the Youth Welfare Centre at Verla with a strong focus on vocational education, skills training, and character-building for underprivileged youth. By offering a mix of academic support, technical education, and holistic development programmes, the centre plays a vital role in empowering young minds with both knowledge and employable skills. 

The newly inaugurated classrooms have been equipped with interactive smart boards designed to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. This upgrade supports the Society’s vocational training model by integrating digital learning tools that enhance both theoretical instruction and practical skill development. 

Speaking at the event, Dr Ashwin Fernandes emphasised the importance of building bridges between traditional educational values and modern digital tools. “Don Bosco institutions have long been a beacon of vocational excellence in India. With these smart classrooms, we aim to complement their mission by bringing in technology that expands learning horizons and prepares students for a future driven by skills, creativity, and adaptability,” he said. 

The event was attended by esteemed members of the Don Bosco Youth Welfare Centre, including Fr Adrian Pinto (Rector), Fr Savio Gomes (Director), and Fr Tony D’Souza (Administrator). Also present were educators and staff such as Mr Terence Nunes, Mr Savio Alvares, Ms Jean Lobo, and others, who have consistently worked to nurture student growth in alignment with the centre’s values. 

The integration of smart classrooms into an institution that offers computer training, life skills education, vocational guidance, and values-based learning is expected to have a multiplier effect on the Centre’s impact—enhancing student engagement, exposure, and employability. 

With this initiative, PACT Foundation continues to support institutions that serve marginalised and underserved youth, ensuring that education is not only accessible but also relevant to the evolving world.