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.
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