By Fr Soroj Mullick, SDB –
The education system in India, is yet to respond effectively to the persisting poverty and inequality which result from social injustice and deprivation of human rights of those hail from the Dalits, Adivasis, Minorities and Back¬ward Classes, who are marginalized in the society.
Christian educational institutions are accused of profit-making agents, by aiming mainly at merit and flocking to the urban and metropolitan locations, thus contributing to the commercialization of education.
Christian education as a pastoral ministry in the Church is evangelization that teaches the Gospel values and promotes the culture of love and justice. It is more than one of the charitable deeds and philanthropic activities. It sets people free by empowering through formal and non-formal education. It forms young men and women of character, compassion and commitment with clear con¬science ruled by moral values, social justice and human rights.
As the Indian constitution guarantees Christian minority rights, they are to be safeguarded in the face of emerging challenges faced within the present political and social scenario. A united intent to work together and networking will help in carrying out the educational mission. It is crucial in building the Christian community and defend its faith as the Catholic educational institutes face challenges posed by the changes in the Indian Education Policy.
There are certain concerns regarding admission of Christian children in our schools, understanding of tribal culture for effective education, cultivating an approach and spirituality of relationship, importance of career guidance and the four pillars of education for a holistic vision of education as proposed by the UNO.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training is expected to reduce the school social science syllabuses by up to 20 per cent in order “to provide enough time to students to develop their talents”, but keep any cuts to the minimum in mathematics, the sciences and language subjects. The revised books will be prescribed from the coming academic session 2019. The council has already prepared “expected learning outcome” norms for every class, and the syllabus revision has to adhere to these. Such a top academic body – NCERT – should focus on the students learning their subjects.
To be continued…
Fr. Soroj Mullick, SDB is a Salesian priest from the Kolkata Province. He has a Licentiate in Catechetics and a Doctorate (Christian Education) from UPS, Italy. He has number of years of teaching experience in college and in the formation of future priests. Besides, he has written number of research papers and articles, and has 25 years of Ministry in India and abroad as Educator, Formator, Retreat Preacher, Editor and engaged in School, Parish Catechetical & Youth Ministry. He is now an assistant priest in Bandel Basilica, rendering pastoral and catechetical ministry to the parishioners and to the pilgrims. He can be contacted at [email protected].