Sister rewarded for service to education loves God and her job
Sister Mary Christina is the principal of a Catholic girls' school in Gazipur (north of Dhaka). The school has about 1,600 students, mostly poor Muslims. She has been involved the educational apostolate for 36 years. Education prevents early marriages.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Sister Mary Christina, a member of the Sisters of Mary Queen of the Apostles, received a major award for her contribution to education in a ceremony held in Dhaka, last Saturday, on the eve of International Women’s Day.
In addition to Sister Mary, the Dhaka-based Christian Co-operative Credit Union Ltd recognised eight other women. Each was given a crest and a certificate.
The 55-year-old Bangladeshi Catholic Sister has been the principal of St Mary's Girl School & College in Gazipur, north of the capital, for the past 11 years, but she has been involved in child education for 36 years.
“I am honoured,” she said upon receiving the award. “It is a recognition for my service. This award will make me work better.”
Speaking about her vocation, she explained that “First of all, I am a nun; secondly, a teacher. I totally depend on God; I pray every day. I also love my job; it makes me really happy.”
About 1,600 students, mostly Muslim, are enrolled in the school she runs. “We are highly appreciated for our level of teaching,” she said. “We preach the Gospel by doing our job.”
Since she became the principal, the school has won several awards for the quality of its education, at the local and national levels, and in sports competitions.
Some time ago, “Bangladesh was an illiterate nation,” Sister Mary noted. Today, according to UNESCO, the adult literacy rate is at 72.89 per cent; 75.7 per cent for men, 70.09 per cent for women.
Her congregation started an educational apostolate with the opening of its first school in a remote village in 1993. Now it runs 38 schools, including two high schools.
Students in the Toomila area, where the girls’ college is located, "are really needy. Sometimes they can't pay the fee of around 300 takas (US.50). So I also find it difficult to pay the salaries of 46 teachers at the end of the month.”
Until 2014, the women's school taught up to Grade 10. “After the college level was added, the educational performance of the girls improved.”
“Previously, after Grade 10, parents organised their daughters' weddings, since there was no possibility to pursue further their education in the area. Now students can continue to learn and become highly prepared.”
Alongside textbook material, “we teach moral values,” said Sister Mary. “We offer ethical and spiritual education and train good human beings.”
What is more, “Thanks to our teachings, several Christian pupils have chosen the religious life, becoming consecrated priests and sisters. At the same time, Muslim schoolchildren have become good Muslims.”
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