In most of the areas where our schools are located the Catholic population is not always very big. Therefore, those who seek admission or parents who want their children in our catholic schools will not also be in such big numbers. The question is whether we want to attract the Catholic families to admit their children and give some extra incentives like concessions, or free if the family is very poor. It will be a sad situation if the inability to pay the fees is the main reason that the Catholic families go somewhere else to admit their children.
In the joint meetings of Telugu Catholic Bishops Council (TCBC) and CRI Major superiors, this point came for discussion. It was agreed that all Catholic children should be given 30% concession and if there are very poor families, the concession should be 50%. This way, it is both financial assistance and also an incentive for the Catholics to admit their children to Catholic schools.
In most of our English medium schools, the Catholic children are proportionately very few in numbers and therefore, giving concessions will not hurt the financial position of the institution. It is not just giving admissions but it is also about sustaining those who are admitted to continue till they finish high school! In the rural areas where the total strength is not high and fee structure is low, giving concession beyond 30% may not be easily possible.
All these points are not about numbers and amount of money but it is about the service to our Catholic community, particularly for the faith formation of the Catholic children and youth. Today, this is one area that is very much neglected. Of course, giving admissions and special concessions is not the only solution to all the problems but the space for the Catholics in the Catholic schools justifies the very existence of the school or college under the banner, “Christian Minority Institution.” Let us pay heed to this need of the times before we lose the good will of our own people and be victims in the hands of those who benefit from our institutions but are not always sympathetic towards our Christian brothers and sisters!
To stay in the service of the society through education apostolate:
With more and more aggressive presence of the “Corporate” sector, running the institutions with all the modern infra-structure facilities and with the era of the ‘government aided schools/colleges’ under private managements almost coming to an end, Christian managements are faced with new challenges and problems. How can we stay in the field of “education?”
Starting and running schools or colleges in the traditional way is not going to be easy for us in the dioceses and religious congregations. We cannot go completely the “Corporate” way but at the same time we cannot also lose the patronage of those in the society who look for the best school and best education for their children and youth.
In the rural areas this will be all the more difficult. Privileges accorded by the Indian Constitution for the religious minorities are not being considered favourably by the government or the department of Education. Implementation of the “New Education Policy” will add to the challenges and demands for us who want to serve the cause of good education. In this situation, how can we be effectively and credibly in the education apostolate? We cannot move away from serving those who cannot spend much for the education of their children and serve or cater only to those who can afford to pay! In which direction shall we go compelled as we feel by the changing situation around us?
Conclusion: In our considered opinion, we have to be clear whom and how we want to reach out through our education apostolate. There is a huge “middle class and fast emerging lower middle-class population”, Christian or non-Christian, that is still very much appreciative of our Christian institutions. There is something “extra” and “different” that makes the public to distinguish a Christian (Missionary) institution from the rest. We should not lose this advantage! The poor in the society look with hope towards our Christian managements that we serve them (accommodate!) in our institutions at an affordable cost.
Our mission is inclusive of all population irrespective of religion or caste. Competition by the Corporates is a serious concern. Even the Catholic hospitals had to face it. But, such fianancial constraits are not shown when it starts Private unaided schools. why then this constraints to compete affect only our aided schools?? It is here that we may have to give up profit motive and take the mission dimension.