Educational Programs
Boys' Town is primarily meant for the rehabilitation of the poor, orphaned and the unemployed youth. By providing them with a healthy environment to live in, a civic and moral formation to make them responsible citizens and trade training that would ensure them good employment later. This is not a correctional institution for juvenile delinquents. Boys' Town is more concerned with preventing juvenile delinquency than reforming delinquents, as the proverb says
Prevention is better than cure.
Boys' Town's training programme is meant to help students discover their latent talents. Facilities and guidance are provided to help them develop.
The basic philosophy of Boys' Town is that everyone is a child of God, and hard work with trust in God is the only way to achieve success.
Montfort Boys' Town offers four different trades:
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Building trade - Carpentry, Blocklaying, Plastering and Plumbing.
Duration: 3 years.
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Cabinet - Making and Upholstery.
Duration: 3 years.
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Fitting and Machining.
Duration: 2 years.
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Motor Vehicle Mechanic and Panel Beating.
Duration: 3 years.
During the course of training, the students complete Class III level trade test, conducted by the Fiji National Training Council. At the completion of their training programme, successful candidates are awarded with certificates from the Ministry of Education.
The boys are also studying each others language and culture, thus non-Fijian speaking students study Fijian and Fijian culture, and non-Hindi speaking students study Hindi and Indian culture. This helps students of different races to understand and mix with one and another.
Home Programs
This includes
religous services and instruction in separate religous groups, various
stage programmes, competitions, leadership training, gardening, cooking, sports and games.
Cadet Training
Cadet training was introduced to Montfort Boys Town in 1990. the purpose was to help with character development and discipline as this is an essential element for progress and holding a steady job.
With its inclusion in the programme of the school, the boys have shown greater discipline and maturity. The positive effects have allowed some of them to be employed in the national police and army forces.
As part of the programme, all the students are required to undergo this training. Like all other towns, Boys Town has its own Mayor and Councillors. The Councillors are the leaders of the four houses that the boys are divided into. Almost all the programmes are run on a competitive basis between the houses. The Mayor and the Councillors are mostly responsible for the daily running of the town, under the guidance of the Brothers, especially the Home Superintendent.
To learn more about Boys' Town, read this case study.