Saint John Bosco, fondly known as Don Bosco (an Italian term for ‘Father Bosco’), was born on August 16, 1815, in Becchi, Piedmont, Italy. From a tender age, he felt a divine calling to serve the impoverished boys of his era. During the Industrial Revolution, Europe witnessed many young people migrating to cities in pursuit of education or work, often falling prey to numerous social vices.
Ordained as a Catholic priest in 1841, Don Bosco dedicated his life to rescuing these disadvantaged boys through his innovative educational methods. He believed in total dedication and personal involvement in their lives and struggles. To perpetuate his mission of serving the youth, he founded the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), a Roman Catholic Religious Congregation of Priests and Brothers, in 1859. Headquartered in Italy, the Salesians are now present in 136 countries, committed to shaping the futures of young people and guiding them towards meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Don Bosco envisioned education as a heartfelt endeavour rooted in principles of loving kindness and selfless service. He pioneered a unique system of education that nurtures the whole person—body, heart, mind, and spirit. His approach, globally recognized as the 'Preventive System,' is based on three core principles: REASON (Intellectual Quotient – IQ), RELATIONSHIP (Emotional Quotient – EQ), and RELIGION (Spiritual Quotient – SQ). He firmly believed that young hearts are best won through love, patience, and empathy, rather than through intimidation and punishment.
The Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of Don Bosco institutions is their familial ambiance, creating a home-away-from-home environment. Don Bosco often said, “It is not enough to love the young. They must know that they are loved.” Swiss educationist Joseph Zoppi echoed this sentiment, stating, "If there ever existed a method of education adapted to inspire confidence and love, it is the method of Don Bosco." This system aspires to cultivate a generation of young men and women grounded not only in sound academic knowledge but also in strong moral values for life.
Today, following Don Bosco's charism, the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDBs) manage an extensive network of educational and social institutions worldwide. As of 2020, these include over 3299 schools, 252 institutes of higher education (colleges and universities), 2468 youth centres and oratories, 166 human resource development centres, 315 vocational guidance centres, 2560 churches, 1436 social work centres, 752 technical vocational education and training centres, 537 boarding and hostels, 597 special provincial services centres and 337 social communication centres across 136 countries. (GC-28-2020 data)
In India, the Salesians operate 275 schools, 56 institutions of higher education (including one university, 35 colleges, eight polytechnics, four engineering colleges, three agricultural colleges, and five teachers' training colleges), 103 technical institutes, 72 Don Bosco forums for youth at risk, 58 youth animation centres, 110 oratories and youth centres, 22 youth counselling centres, 33 career guidance and job placement centres, 208 boarding houses and hostels, 99 tuition and remedial centres, 14 communication centres, and 8606 self-help groups managed by Don Bosco fathers and brothers.
Don Bosco School Oodlabari stands as a testament to St. John Bosco’s profound love for young people. Established through the unwavering dedication and foresight of the SDBs, the school strives for excellence, offering students the opportunity to pursue academic studies prescribed by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). Our mission is to mould students into good, smart, competent, and productive individuals ready for the future.