Loyola School Jamshedpur’s Father Pius completes 3 decades as trend-setting Principal

Jamshedpur, July 4: He is perhaps the only principal in the city, who greets the children with his infectious smile at the gate itself, and on Monday he added another feather to his cap. Father Pius Fernandes, principal of Loyola School, the most loving principal in the city, also completed 30 years as a principal, serving under different Jesuit institutions. It is with a strong commitment to the quest for excellence in the field of education that Father Pius served as the principal.

Father Pius was the principal of Loyola from 1992 to 2002 during the Golden Jubilee era of Loyola and was the person behind making Loyola School Co-Education. He rejoined Loyola in 2017 and has been serving the school ever since. Over the years he has also served at Loyola School, Bhubaneswar and De Nobili, Dhanbad. 

His passion for teaching has not ceased even after holding the post of principal. He still teaches his students under his tutelage and brings accolades to the school by achieving excellent results every year.

In a special assembly organised at the campus, Father Pius was felicitated by the school management and the Loyola Alumni Association, led by president Rajiv Talwar and secretary Savak Patel.

Addressing the gathering the principal, began with the short story of O Henry ‘After 20 years’ and noted that he was addressing the same place after 30 years. ” My joy has been our children. There is never a dull moment,” he noted.

Sharing his experiences as the principal of the leading school of the state, Father Pius said that he had served as principal of Loyola from 1992-2002 but now felt humbled to be back at the school.

“Honestly speaking, education is more than just scoring marks. I believe in making every child capable of being a responsible citizen and contributing to the nation’s progress,” said Father Pius with a smile. 

He went on to say that not only is classroom education on the agenda, but also broader issues such as brotherhood, talent, and confidence building.

Father Pius is also known for winning the National Teachers Award 2005. The award is given to teachers selected from across the nation for their ‘contribution to the development of the country through education’. He received the award from the then President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, at the Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on September 5, 2006. Dr. Kalam, himself a great scientist and a teacher, honored Fr. Pius for his great work and dedication.

Father Pius inherited his love of teaching from his parents. His father, late Rosario Fernandes, was the headmaster of a school, and his mother, Dulcine Fernandes, had rendered services as teacher.  Fr Pius had his schooling in St Mary’s School at Kundapur and higher secondary from St. Aloysius College, Mangalore. He joined the Jesuit order in 1971 and graduated from St. Xaviers College, Ahmedabad. He went on to earn his post graduate degree from Pune University. Fr. Fernandes has also served as vice-principal of St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling before his stint at Loyola.