The Department of Psychology, St. Teresa’s College (Autonomous), Ernakulam has joined hands with the District Legal Services Authority, Ernakulam, to be a part of the Samvada Project initiated by the Kerala Legal Services Authority (KeLSA), High Court, Kerala. The primary goal of this project is to instill a values-based civic sense in school students across the state, fostering their development as responsible citizens capable of resisting corruption and negative influences. Targeting students from 8th to 12th standard in CBSE, State, and ICSE schools, the project adopts the motto “Catch Them Young and Watch Them Grow.”
The Samvada project, facilitated by the District Court in Ernakulam, was officially inaugurated on November 23, 2023, within the district court premises. Smt. Honey M Varghese, Principal District and Sessions Judge & Chairperson of DLSA, Ernakulam, served as the Chief Guest for the event. Other dignitaries present at the inaugural ceremony included Sri. Renjith Krishnan N, Sub Judge and Secretary of DLSA, Sri. Ganesh M.K., Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam, Dr. Alphonsa Vijaya Joseph, Principal, St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam, Smt Bindu John, Head, Department of Psychology, St. Teresa’s College, and Adv. Niharika, Nodal Officer of the project.
Following the inaugural ceremony, a Life Skills Session was conducted by Ms. Bindu John (HOD), along with Assistant Professors Anjitha Venugopal, Hajira K.M., and Lakshmi Nair from the Department of Psychology, St. Teresa’s College. The session covered topics such as Self Awareness, Building Healthy Relationships, Exam Anxiety, and Time Management. Students were provided with various techniques to actively be aware of their thoughts and feelings and were taught how to effectively deal with them. Insights on healthy relationships, signs of abusive relationships, boundaries, and consent were also explained. Additionally, students received guidance on time management techniques for effective studying and strategies to overcome test anxiety.
After the social and life skills session, students were taken to observe court sessions, providing them with an exciting opportunity to experience real-life court proceedings. Subsequently, a session on ‘Lessons of Law’ was conducted by Adv. P G Suresh, Mediator Potential trainer of MCPC Ernakulam, followed by an interactive session with Judicial Officer Sri. K. Soman, District Judge, and Special Judge.
The faculty and PG students of the Department of Psychology are actively leading the Life Skills Sessions for the school students every Thursday in the District Court. So far, Life Skills Sessions have been taken for students of
- Saraswati Vidya Niketan Public School, Elamakara,
- Bhavans Vidya Mandir, Elamakkara,
- Cardinal H.S.S, Thrikakkara,
- Government Sanskrit h.S.S. Tripunithura,
- Bhavans Vidya Mandir, Girinagar,