PANAJI: The good news is to make the good things happen in and through our schools, said Fr Robert Menezes, the secretary of Jesuit Education Association, which is part of the Jesuit Conference of South Asia.

Fr Menezes, speaking at the seminar being held at the Pilar Retreat Center, as a resource person on Excellence in Education, further said that the purpose of education is to develop students for social transformation.

"Although I may share the latest techniques and trends in education, but basically education is to make the students light of the world and salt of the earth. Hence modern management is not to see weaknesses, but possibilities to make good happen," remarked Fr Menezes, who possesses a Masters Degree in Education from Loyola University, Chicago.

"It should be a humbling experience for most of us as most of our appointments are not by qualifications. We need to remember that the principal is not the ultimate head of the school, but the executive head of the congregation," the National Advisor of Jesuit Alumni of India observed.

The Society of Pilar runs 13 higher secondary schools, 23 high schools, 8 middle schools, 15 primary schools, 4 degree colleges, 4 polytechnics, 2 ITIs and 3 institutes of management. The Society of Pilar approximately has 1.2 lakh students studying in these intuitions every year.

50 Pilar fathers, who are principals in various schools all over India, are attending the seminar. The seminar will conclude on July 29.