Conclusions of the Educational Seminar at Mount St.Thomas

Summary of the Discussions and Suggestions at the Educational Conference.

The following are the committees that were formed at the Conference:

1. Probity in Administration and Minority Rights. Chairman: Justice Cyriac Joseph

2. Career Guidance in colleges. Chairman: Mr. Abraham Kurien I.P.S.

3. Religious and Ethical Values. Chairman: Dr. Ruble Raj

4.  Starting of a Private Catholic University. Chairpersons:  Rev. Dr. George Madathiparampil and Rev.DrAntony.Kariyil CMI.

5. Partnership with Foreign Universities. Chairpersons:  Rev. Dr. George Madathiparampil and Dr.Beena Manoj.

6. On line Courses and Autonomous Colleges. Chairman: Dr. Babu Joseph

Suggestions that were made at the meetings of the above-mentioned committees:

1.      Create a Syro-Malabar Commission for Education in order to strengthen the commitment of the Church, to inspire our colleges for leadership and innovations and to update and preserve the Catholic Campus culture.

2.      Hold an annual conference of principals, managers and Catholic educationists.

3.      Hold a Conference of principals in order to build up strong career guidance centers in colleges.

4.      Hold career guidance seminars for teachers who are guiding these centers.

5.      Create an Advisory board of educationists, principals and managers for the Syro-Malabar Church.

6.      Plead for autonomy for the colleges of Kerala. Hold seminars to create public opinion for the granting of autonomy.

7.      Work for the establishment of a Private Catholic University as an inter-diocesan collaboration.

8.      Establish partnerships with foreign universities and initiate steps to help the colleges to move in this direction. Select ten best colleges for International partnerships. Start a new phase in the development of our colleges.

9.      Strengthen Campus Ministry in our colleges.

1.   Start , develop and foster Catholic student movements like the CSM or AICUF/Jesus Youth etc

11.  To give leadership formation to Catholic teachers and students

12.  Proclaim boldly that transparency would be maintained in appointments and admissions.

13.  Preserve the integrity of Minority rights guaranteed in the Constitution and continue the fight against the diminution of the rights by the Govt. or or any agency of the Govt.

14.  Hold Conferences for Catholic professionals –Lawyers, doctors, CAs ,Computer professionals, Scientists, Business management professionals etc

15.  Strengthen Newman Associations so that Catholic intellectuals will have an opportunity to share their views and thoughts.

16.  Hold conferences for International  partnerships

17.  Give awards to the top students from the Syro-Malabar Church

Some of the additional suggestions of the Committee on Ethical Values:

1.      Availability of Chapels and prayer times in our colleges

2.      Annual retreats for teachers and students

3.      Masses on First Fridays at noon

4.      Beginning classes with prayers in the morning

5.      Pre-Cana Courses for Non-Catholic students

6.      Holding of Leadership Camps

7.      Media Education for students

8.      Discussion of the Social teachings of the Church

9.      Using Face book and Twitter to spread  Christian values

1.  Catholic Educational issues to be  made part of the Agenda of the Synod

11.  Awarding of  prizes based on  Catechetical/Value Education class exams

12.  Arrange  meetings  of the selected students with the Major Archbishop

13.  Careful screening in appointments to the Staff, teaching as well as non-teaching.

14.  No donations for appointments and admission.

15.  Counseling training for teachers

16.  More information on Minority rights

17.  Good Catechetical /Value education text books for the students

Additional Suggestions of the Career guidance Committee:

1.      A one week residential course for counselors and nominated teachers

2.      A pilot group of students with marked potential for leadership to be selected for special training

3.      Competent faculty may be identified for such programs

Suggestions of the members of the Committee on Probity in Administration:

Ø  A lot of negative feelings in the community itself because of the practice of collecting donations by a few managements

Ø  Educate the public specially about the financing of Self-financing colleges

Ø  Collecting donations for courses in aided colleges has given a lot of bad publicity and has turned away Catholics against the managements. The actions of a few managements have spoiled the names of reputed Catholic colleges in the State.

Ø  Our colleges fail to impart Christian values.

Ø  Instances of corruption in  appointments and admissions have tarnished the name of the Church.

Reflections on Higher Education

The following are the reflections of Prof.K.T.Sebastian on Catholic Higher Education.

Prof.K.T.Sebastian is one of the leading Catholic theologians of India and has spent much of his time and  energy to highlight the role of the laity in the Church.His contribution to the Church of India and to the Catholic Church of Kerala in particular is beyond parallel.

A.GENERAL

1. Christian Education- (Higher and General) is part of the pastoral ministry of the church. It is campus ministry – part of youth ministry. ‘Signs of the time’ indicate its relevance.

2. Christian education is the continuation of the prophetic mission of Christ; of the Church; Hence its importance in the pastoral planning at the local and eparchial levels, and also at the level of the Syro Malabar Church itself.

3. The teachings of the Church before and after Vatican II and  The Declaration of the Council itself on Christian Education (GE) highlight Christ’s presence on the Campus.

4. The identity of the Christian College needs deeper study. It should form an important part of orientation / training programme for the new recruits. The individual colleges, or colleges of each diocese may take the effort.

5. Facilitating Co Ordination between Diocesian authorities and Religious Congregations in the conduct of colleges – There should be common norms in the admission of students, appointments of teachers , fundraising, participative leadership etc. There are several instances of tension and ill feeling between the Diocesan authorities and religious superiors in the management of schools and colleges. This often tarnishes the image of our institutions. The Education office of the Syro – Malabar church can prepare the norms after proper consultation in this regard. he establishment of Diocesan corporate management of schools and colleges will be an effective solution.

6. The charge of commercialization of higher education - a recent  phenomenon. The higher authorities of the Syro- Malabar Church shall take steps to see that transparency and accountability prevail in our institutions – How to counter the charge of profit making?. This is to be strictly avoided whatever may be the justification for that practice. The end does not justify the means.

B. QUALITY EDUCATION (Christian vision)

1. Christian (Catholic) Education is more than good education (quality education) in the general sense. It is good education plus Christian formation (catechetical and liturgical) and witness of life (G.E.n.2). The identity of the catholic school/ college is its emphasis on faith formation.

2.The quest for excellence. Achievement of quality or excellence is the result of the continued effort of the staff, principal and management.

3.A new understanding of the manager’s role. It is one of inspiration, encouragement, and of humble service (Christ as model). This is in contrast to the old idea of exercise of authority and power, esp. power to suspend , transfer the staff.

4. Creativity. The most important role of the manager / principal is to promote creativity of staff and students. Creativity will flourish only in an atmosphere of freedom. Creativity of students is to be recognized through the award of prizes, of teachers through incentives and public recognition of merit (not merely academic) shall be the only criterion for this selection and appointment and promotion to the next grade. This will be possible only when our institution become autonomus. Autonomy is to be earned rather than granted.

5.Transparency. Transparency is to be insisted in the admission of students and appointment of teachers. Clear norms and criteria, guidelines etc shall be the basis for transparency. Guidelines are to be formulated by experienced exponents of  Christian education.

6. Minority rights are for the safeguard of the Christian identity of our educational institutions – not for the protection of vested interests. The education council of the Syro –Malabar church and the diocesean councils  are duty bound to evaluate their performance.

7. Need for Paradigm shift for greater effectiveness.(Ref. Chapter VI – All India Catholic Ed. Policy.2007). The National policy on Education.(1986) begins with the sentence  “There are moments in history when a new direction has to be given to an age-old process. That moment is today” Catholic Education Policy quotes this sentence in its epilogue of this document What is said about the national scenario is very much true of the Catholic education in India. Syro- Malabar church included in spite of its long history; its human and material resources etc. Our church has to seek new horizons; new ideas; innovative methods, systems approaches etc.

                               Just one example, In Kerala the most important and powerful Teachers Association are for the enhancement of salaries and redress of grievances. Academic interest is nominal. But in educationally advanced countries Teachers’ Association are primarily academic bodies organized for the advancement in the subject which they teach. Thus there are Associations of Maths teachers, Physics, Geography etc.

8.Co education at post graduate level of Arts and Science colleges. Most of the students are girls. Scarcity of men teachers – (the boys go for professional courses) At  men’s colleges ladies are not appointed even though the majority of the P.G students are girls. Is a uniform policy in this regard possible or desirable?

9.The need for frequent departmental meetings to discuss academic matters. Brain storming sessions – Educational tours, visit to autonomous colleges, deemed universities, research centres etc are suggested.

10.Updating Teaching- Learning process- a combination of classroom lectures, seminars, presentation of dissertations followed by discussion. Dictation of notes is  to be eliminated. Arts students are  to be encouraged to  spend more time in the Library and science students, in the Labs. The most creative part of education seems to be discussion with professors and participation in the inter collegiate seminars on specific themes. Such programmes can be facilitated by the Education Department of the Syro- Malabar church. Such programmes must be open to Christian as well as other institutions and academic bodies.

                                                                                   Prof.K.T.Sebastian         Email:profktsebastian@gmail.com.

            

                                                            

Career Guidance-Resolution of the Committee

FIRST REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CREATION OF EXCELLENCE AND CAREER GUIDANCE

                                          IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

                                                 OF THE SYRO MALABAR CHURCH

The Committee was constituted on conclusion of the Seminar on Higher Education which was held at St. Thomas Mount, Kakkanad on the 20^th of July under the beneficent direction of His Eminence the Major Archbishop of the Syro Malbar Church. Proceedings of the Committee received the guidance and active support of Fr. George Madathiparambil, ex- Vicar general of the Syro Malabar eparchy in the US. Members of the Committee comprising Senior Teachers and Administrators of institutions of higher education held detailed discussions and shared their rich experiences in the light of guiding principles elucidated in the course of the seminar and further illuminated in the light of papal encyclicals and other important pronouncements of the Church brought to its attention through the efforts of Rev. Fr. George who moderated the discussions. The following exhortations contained in Papal Encyclicals provided the central focus in the Committee’s deliberations:

The Document on Education of the Second Vatican Council proclaimed by Pope Paul the VIth on 28^th October, 1965 called upon Catholic educational institutions not to be remarkable for its numbers, but for their pursuit of knowledge and reminded them of their duty to do all they can,  “to promote for all peoples the complete perfection of the human person”.

In a similar vein, Pope Paul II in his celebrated encyclical “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” issued in August 1999 emphasized the mandate of Catholic institutions to, “explore courageously the riches of revelation and of nature so that the united endeavor of intelligence and faith will enable people to come to the full measure of their humanity, created in the image and likeness of God”.

The CBCI document entitled “All India Catholic Education Policy” and issued on May 25^th 2007 has also characterized education as ‘an essential tool for the full development of individuals and empowerment of people’. It said emphatically, “The Church sees education as an agent of transformation”. In a striking phrase, Pope John Paul described a catholic educational institution as embodying “the fecundity of the Christian mind in the heart of every culture”.

Drawing inspiration from such profound and enlightening pronouncements, the Committee set down to itself the task of attempting to identify those areas of the Christian educational system of the Syro Malabar Church that need ‘the united endeavor of intelligence and faith to enable people to come to the full measure of their humanity’ and to ‘promote the complete perfection of the human person’, as insightfully articulated in the Papal Encyclicals and reiterated in exhortations by the CBCI. The primary focus for the Committee therefore remained rooted in exploring to what extent the twin pursuits of intellectual development and moral and ethical edification of the young have been receiving the highest priority in the educational endeavors of Catholic institutions and to recommend suitable  remedial measures if, in case, it is found these preeminent principles and objectives have not been steadily kept in view in formulating schemes of study and in the formation of character and personality of the young. The following analysis of the current system of education emerges from discussions held:

1.       Faculties of critical reflection and analysis that are fundamental in mental development and intellectual refinement remain stunted because of over- dependence on learning by rote;

2.       Communications skills remain undeveloped as the examination system provides no incentive or reward for acquiring such skills and on the contrary, tend to discourage efforts in this direction;

3.       Emotional maturity and inter personal relations do not figure in the scheme of instruction which remains confined to promoting ruthless competition and the pursuit of individual ambition;

4.       Individual aptitudes and natural inclinations of the young are disregarded in the obsessive preoccupation with securing their entry into professions that promise early monetary gains;

5.       Ethical and moral orientation and adherence to value systems are often perceived as irrelevant to education and, in adulthood, as impediments to individual success and material progress;

6.       Social Sciences and the Humanities, as also language studies that promote a humanistic culture and a liberal outlook are often excluded from the scheme of studies in schools and colleges.

The Committee found after detailed deliberations that the reasons for distortions that have crept into the objectives and practices of higher education are a complex mixture of societal, familial and individual value systems that have been heavily influenced by the market economy and the prevailing consumerist culture on the one hand and the lack of educational innovation and reform, compounded by ideological aberrations of political leadership, on the other. While several among such serious distortions are not immediately amenable to Church intervention, certain important aspects of the problem have emerged from the discussions and call for remedial action at the level of teachers and managements of higher education. These are briefly indicated below:

(a)    The blind pursuit of the so called professional courses stems partly from ignorance about alternative  career opportunities available to the young;

(b)   Lack of guidance at the appropriate stage is responsible for students opting for courses that are not in consonance with their natural aptitudes and unsuited to their personal inclinations;

(c)    Graduate and post graduates often fail to secure employment because of the neglect of language study, both at school and in college;

(d)   Failure in competitive examinations results mainly from neglect of newspaper reading and ignorance about current affairs;

(e)   Teachers fail to provide guidance partly from lack of training and orientation and partly from want of incentives and encouragement for making such extra efforts;

(f)     Teachers further fail to provide information about career opportunities and to prepare students for competition because teachers themselves do not read widely and follow up events regularly and studiously with the serious intention to keep students updated about important developments in the nation’s economy, polity, society and environment.

The Committee is of the considered view that unless remedial measures are urgently undertaken, the current drift and lack of direction that cripple the initiative and enthusiasm of educated youth can lead to a disastrous situation of social instability and insecurity. Huge numbers of the young who enter colleges every year( over 2.5 lakhs in 2012)raise the specter of unemployment and the resultant social turmoil and instability in an era of the affluence of the few and the scramble for glamorous possessions that globalization and the market economy constantly and unremittingly display to the young.

One important concern of the colleges, the parents and of the community as a whole remains to be considered; that is the serious erosion of ethical and moral values among the youth. The materialistic philosophy espoused by the market economy has undoubtedly taken hold of their minds and has altered their perspectives on values in life. Reasons are too well known to require reiteration; what is more to the present purpose is to see if college education can be made congenial for the growth of a positive attitude towards religious and ethical values and to counter  the onslaught of the venality and the materialism of the market economy. The only agents of change, if higher education is to be transformational as envisaged by the CBCI, are teachers to whom the idealist young look up to for inspiration and guidance in moral conflict as well as in their academic crises. Attitudinal orientation of teachers as regards their moral responsibilities to the young is easier said than done. The Committee is of the view that the teaching community needs to be frequently exposed to orientation courses for moral and ethical edification and for incentivizing active promotion of values among students.

On the basis of its detailed discussions and studies of related literature available on the subject of reforms in higher education, the Committee would like to make the following suggestions and recommendations for consideration of the Synod of the Syro Malabar Church:

1.       There is an urgent need to reorient Catholic institutions as regards their prevailing preference for professional education and to promote in them an appreciation of the humanizing influence of the liberal arts and the social sciences so that young students are encouraged to take up study of socially significant subjects and to follow their natural aptitudes in choosing courses and  careers, rather than blindly follow popular trends or succumb to monetary considerations;

2.       Professional help by qualified and experienced psychological counselors be provided in every college, if possible, for help of students to identify their aptitudes and to help tide over personal and emotional crises;

3.       A few teachers to be trained in every institution to study emerging career opportunities and their skill requirements so that student talent can be meaningfully matched at the time of selection of courses at the time of admission and for selection of careers on completion of study

4.       Teachers selected for career guidance be paid adequate monetary compensation and rewards for specialized training and work;

5.       Principals of all colleges may be assembled to secure their whole hearted cooperation in improving quality of instruction and motivation of students and asked to depute teachers in charge of career guidance to undergo orientation camp at a central location.

6.       Leadership camps be organized for selected students who may be expected to serve as change agents and catalysts for promoting the pursuit of excellence in the student community at large.

The Committee earnestly believes that these initiatives will help in bringing about an attitudinal change on the part of all stake holders and set in motion a process of reform that can improve the overall academic environment and infuse a culture of purposeful education that aims at the promotion of excellence while at the same time sustaining an unflagging faith in values.

Abraham Kurien IPS, Chairman of the Committee.  Marian College, Dated 20^th July, 2012.

Conference on Higher Education in Kerala-Summary of the Talks

Summary of the discussions and talks of the Conference on Higher Education in Kerala held on June 30,12

H.G. Mar Aandrews Thazhath, in his Presidential address, talked about the hesitations and questionings in the minds of many people with regard to the role of the Church in the field of education when the Church is being opposed by people hostile to its ministry in the educational sector.

He found the answer to such hesitancies in the words of Jesus when He asked his disciples to teach and to heal. As it is the primary duty of the Church to teach and to heal, it would always get involved in the field of education and never run away from its responsibility in this field. Even though  for a time the Church experienced a lot of hardships in the running of its institutions, later the role of the Church  was acknowledged because  it  stood by certain principles and also was functioning within the ambit of the protection given by the Minority Rights enshrined  in the Constitution.

He bemoaned the lack of autonomy for colleges and the absence of Deemed universities or a Private University in Kerala. Explicating the Educational policy of the CBCI as detailed in its  Document in 2007, he mentioned the need for Quality, Values  and Affordability in our educational system.

Quoting the words of Pope Benedict XVl, he said the purpose of education is “to become what you are”. The Pope then defined that our identity comes from being the children of God. So the purpose of education is to make one a better person.

The Church cannot, hence, shirk its responsibility in the field of education but has to continue to be present with vigor and enthusiasm.

The Major Archbishop in his Inaugural Address emphasized the role of the Church in education as part of its evangelical mission. The mission of the Church is to be a light to the world and that mission has to continue unabated. He added that the Church had played an important role in Education which was evident from the great investment the Church put through men and material resources in the educational development of India. The role of the Church to spearhead educational progress has inspired other communities to work in this field.

H.B. wanted the participants to reflect on the educational policy of the CBCI and examine their commitment in the light of the KCBC reflections on that document.

He wanted the other Churches too to reflect on their roles in the light of these documents so that a common policy can be arrived at.

H.B. mentioned the need for an annual conference to evaluate our role and ministry in the field of education  and  asked the participants to express their views openly so that all can work with more conviction and commitment in this field.

Justice Cyriac Joseph in his key-note speech mentioned that the Church sees education as an agent of transformation.

 The importance the Church gives to education is seen from the fact that the church has invested heavily in education.

These educational institutions are the result of our hard effort and we should be proud of them. But there are some criticisms of the management of these institutions. Those mistakes have to be rectified.

We are gathered at a time when there are a lot of people questioning the role of the Church in the field of education.

He mentioned the recent observation of the High court with regard to low pass performance of some of the engineering colleges. If the Catholic colleges are in this group, ways have to be devised to improve their standards.

Are our young people capable of passing Civil Service exams?

He sees a slow diminution of the meaning of Minority rights in some of the recent decisions of the court. No more it is possible to expect the kind of protection that was available in the past.

Some may ask why the minorities should have special protection when the majority is not endowed with such a protection.

But just because we experience difficulties, we cannot just abdicate the protection that is given to us through the Minority rights.

We have to understand the content and breadth of the minority rights. These rights make the minority not only to enjoy equality in law but also in fact.

Our institutions are reputed for the high quality of education .But this quality should be Christian. Quality should be shown as a Christian value. There should be a training of the heart.

Our emphasis should not be on the beauty of the buildings, but on the building up of the character of the students. It is the inner beauty that is to be emphasized.

The Catholic institutions should never seek donations for admissions or appointments.

We should never run our institutions abdicating our Christina values.

We should also emphasize programs outside the syllabus—Non-formal education should be given a role.

Organizations for the development of the Christina leadership should be encouraged. KCSL, AICUF etc have to be re-energized.

We need more value-oriented teachers---Teachers' guilds and Newman associations etc have to be promoted.

Catholic hostels have a role to play and they should be promoted.

Teachers in private colleges should not be allowed to have political roles. They should be free from party politics.

Abp.Mar Joseph Powthil, speaking on the relevance of the Church  in education emphasized the responsibility of the parents in the matter of choosing the right method of education for their children. Catholic education is a right that is given under the freedom of religion. The parents have the right to send their children to Catholic schools and convey their faith to the children.

The Church has a role to play for the society and it has to work towards developing the integral growth of every human being.

It is the responsibility of the Church to give Catholic education.

The Church has an obligation to the society to work for the development of the people.

The special feature of the Catholic education is that it is oriented towards the development of the whole person.

Marxian philosophy  deals only  with the material aspects of human life and hence is one sided.

We have to seek our roots. Without knowing the roots, we cannot be a part of the whole. The destruction of the roots would definitely destroy the whole too.

We have to be always vigilant to protect our rights.

Dr. Babu Joseph stressed the need for autonomy for the colleges of Kerala.

Introduction of autonomy will solve a lot of problems in the educational sector. Certain level of excellence is needed in order for the colleges to attain autonomy.

We have 374 autonomous colleges in 19 states.

The advantage of autonomy is that the colleges get administrative and academic freedom.

There are also two other levels of University Education in the planning of the Central Government: Deemed Universities and Innovative Universities.

14 innovative universities are planned by the Govt.

In the session on Catholic Education—Principles and Values, Dr. Ruble Raj dealt with the values and philosophy of Christian education.

Education is not just  a cultural process; it is also a spiritual duty.

Quoting the CBCI document of 2007, he mentioned that education is a transforming process. This transformation is spiritual, liberal and humanizing.

We have guided missiles but misguided young people.

Education liberates us from selfishness, egoism, narrow-mindedness and superstition.

Five Cs of Education in the CBCI document:

Character formation, Competence,Conscience,compassion and commitment.

The presence of a chapel in the campus adds to the Catholic character of the college.

Gospel love should permeate the campus. It involves giving love, sharing love and the  recognition of  human dignity.

Two cities as symbols—Nineveh and Tarshish.

Catholic colleges should be like Nineveh.

Abraham Kurien stressed the need to train students for jobs that are suitable for their aptitudes.

Mad pursuit of professions erodes their values.

 A One year separate course is needed to make the students well prepared for the choice of their careers.

Fr.Tomy Padinjareveettil, Dr.Joseph Framcis, Joseph Mathew, Fr.Chalil ,Fr.Kariyil,Dr.Joselet and Prof.Menacherry intervened during the  discussion on this matter.

Mr. P.T.Kuriakose intervened to say that there was a perception problem and some of our institutions are seen as centers of extortion. We have to establish our credibility. Evangelization is the mission of the Church.

Prof .K. T .Sebastian pointed out the credibility gap at the heart of our education ministry. He also added that because of the lack of creativity, our colleges are stagnating.

The Major Archbishop wanted further discussions and consultation on six lines of action and wanted small committees to work in six groups to make their presentation on those six lines of actions.

The Six committees are the following:

Career Guidance and General Excellence

On line courses

Partnerships with Foreign Universities

Private University

Probity in Administration and Minority Rights

Ethical Values

Fr.George Madathiparampil in his introductory speech outlined the main themes of the Conference underlining the great contribution the Church made in the field of Higher Education and stressed the need to move forward with a new vision, retaining the great heritage of the past.He urged the participants to live locally but to think globally. He also added that diversity is wealth but division is the way to destruction.

Prof. Stephen Mathews explained through a power point presentation prepared by Vince Marin of Chicago  the need for partnership Foreign Universities.

Prof. Raju George of Mary Matha College proposed the vote of thanks. Dr Beena Manoj of St. Teresa’s college coordinated meeting.