DNC TIMES Issue on Education...Kindling of Other Fires

2. out, critically analyze, understand and lead one to
appropriate action in total freedom. It seeks for the good
of humankind. Education has been happening since the
dawn of civilization. It has evolved and today we have a
very formal structure of education. Since the recent past
we are so embedded in the structure that we have lost
sight of the goal which is to create an educated mind. We
are creating more intellectuals but something is lacking
in training people to live their lives fully for God's glory.
The church has been instrumental in the past for
imparting value based education but today church run
schools are not so much in demand. Is it that we are not
meeting the needs of today's generation and we are living
on our past glory? We also
have tried to explore the
i m p l i c a t i o n o f r e a l
education !Though we
claim to be so educated we
don't seem to realize what
we are doing to our own
planet. In India education is
still a dream for many girls
e v e n t h o u g h t h e
government is making an
all out effort to woo girls to
schools. In our interview section Sunny SJ speaks of how
we may have become complacent in the running of our
institutions.At the same time we face a lot of oppositions
from the Right Wing forces within our country. The
challenges are numerous and we have to face them in a
creative way. We cannot do without education and so we
must find the right way of imparting education that
instillsvaluesandnotjusttransfers information.
Is our education kindling a flame? Read on to
know what our writers have to say about the education
wereceive.Weareallapartof thissystem.
nd
(Ivan is a 2 yr Theologian at JDV)
he month of June brings in a sense of study over
most of our country. It is a time when schools
Tand colleges re-open, X, XII and some other
results are declared and there is a rush for admission into
higher education and so on. The journey to being
educated is on. Keeping with this sentiment DNC Times
presents“Education– Kindlingof aflame.”
Over the past few decades a lot of measures have
been taken to increase the literacy rate of our country.
Huge sums of money have been sanctioned to make India
cent percent literate. The Right to Education Act which
st
came into effect on 1 April 2009 made education “free
and compulsory” giving it
the force of a right to the
child and the duty of the
government to educate
children. The RTE has done
a lot to see that Education
reaches every child. The
results are evident.
Statistics show more
children are enrolled in
schools, primary schools
are opened in almost every
village and school teacher's salaries have more than
doubled in the past few years which have definitely taken
the literacy rates higher. As of 2011 India was 74.01%
literate,whichisgood.
However, even with such improvement the quality
of life does not show much of change. Crime rate has
increased, stress levels have increased, soared couples
have been separated and more families have broken up.
Our value system seems to have gone down rather than
upinspiteofallthiseducation.
An ancient Greek Philosopher, Plutarch said
A
truly educated mind is free. It is trained to reason
“The
mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”
02 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
EditorialEditorial
Ivan D’Souza SJ

3. manner. On the other hand, students in Mumbai and
elsewhere in India are securing extremely good results, a
large number achieving overall percentages of over 90%.
In one of our schools in mumbai this year, the highest
percentage scored was 97.5% with 99% in Hindi. The
next cohort of Nobel Prize winners is definitely coming
from India, it would appear.The fly in the ointment is that
local studies find barely
15% of Indian graduates
employable. Why is
educationfailingIndia?
Progress has been
made, with civil society
groups winning for every
Indian, the Right to
Education. But without
a d e q u a t e f i n a n c i a l
allocation for publically
funded education, suitable infrastructure in schools and
colleges which serve the non-elite and good training and
motivation for faculty, it is always going to be an
impossible task. Rote learning, lack of global skills and
commercializationof education continue rampant.When
politicians begin to think that they are the best
educationists in the world and when they bring
commercial and political interests to bear on this public
good, then we know that corruption has become subtle
but even more powerful than before. When the colour
brush of ideology dictates the policies and even the
content of education, we can anticipate the kindling of
conflict and the poisoning of the plural social fabric of
society. Indian civil society, however, is vibrant and
active and even with the mainline media being tightly
controlled by the powerful, social media has begun to
play an educative role by creatively applying critical
thinkingtoourdevelopingsituation.
Cont’d on pg18
f there is one thing social scientists across the world
are sure of, it is that education brings about massive
Ichanges in human wellbeing, for the individual and
for society! And so, it's such an easy proposition for any
Government interested in human development – to pour
resources into the educational system. (Of course, some
governments begin their tenure by decreasing the already
meagre resources spent on
education! They probably
know better than social
scientists.) However, at
least since the time of Paulo
Freire, the world also
knows that the education
system can merely train
people to fit like cogs into
the wheel of an oppressive
society, can promote the
'culture of silence' and can serve as mere propaganda for
the ruling classes. Hence resources are not enough; the
system needs the attention of the best minds and hearts of
the community. Education must kindle a critical and
creativeflameineachofus!
Our system in India, unfortunately,
suffers from the lack of access to education for the vast
majority (in villages and even in cities) and from the lack
of equity and inclusion (with those weakest and most
vulnerable not being catered to). However the most
serious problem is the lack of quality education that can
light the flame. Rote learning has resulted in our children
not developing the set of skills that students need: critical
thinking, complex reasoning, effective problem solving,
good expression and inter-disciplinary interaction. Prof.
Richard Arum of New York University, in a study
entitled, “Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on
College Campuses,” finds that a large percentage of
College and University students in the U.S. are not
developing their higher order skills in any appreciable
03 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Fanning The FlameFanning The Flame
Frazer Mascarenhas SJ
Article

4. Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward
Classes (OBC), Religious Minorities and women have
been denied the opportunity. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
(1989) recognized the importance of education in
shaping the future and cautioned the under-privileged not
to lose any opportunity to acquire this right, and said "We
may forego material benefits, that but we cannot forego
our right and opportunity to reap the benefit of the
highest education to the fullest extent." He put all his
efforts to guarantee the educational opportunities
without any discrimination to all the citizens of
independentIndia.
Currently the Act on Right to Education has
imparted in us the worth of education, because a human
being is not attaining his or her full heights until he or she
is educated. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, we ought
to 'Live as if you were to die tomorrow and learn as if you
were to live forever'. When you know better you do
better, because knowledge is power. Hence we need to
prepare the young to educate themselves throughout
theirlivesso thattheycanuse ittochangetheworld.
Hence it is widely acknowledged that education
plays an important role to achieve a greater degree of
social justice. It is rightly said that words spoken are like
a double edged sword. Truly our education system has
created swords of great importance who have changed
society and made an impact. Thus educational
institutions are expected to equip children to the best of
their ability to secure a meaningful place in society and
thus foster a process of developing an egalitarian society.
However, a large number of children are still excluded
from the educational system and hence they cannot
participate meaningfully in the economic, social,
political and cultural life of their communities. Let us
pledge to promote education, the most powerful tool to
allequallytohelpnationstogrow andtomake progress.
rd
(Arun Valan is a 3 yr Theologianat JDV)
ducation is more than writing and reading. It
provides one with knowledge about the world
Eand it's people. It draws out the worth of a
person. It creates the ability to judge, reason and to
choose. It helps in increasing one's self-awareness of
what one is supposed to be and to embrace who one really
is. It helps one to build a strong relationship with others
and makes one complete. Education, according to
Mandela is one of the most powerful weapons in
developinga country.
The development of any nation depends on its
educational system. It is proved to be the key to human
progress and social change. It is a powerful tool for
empowerment. Even the marginalized have realised its
worth as education has given them their self-identity in
this globalized world. It helps in developing confidence
in individuals and in community, makes them aware
about their own capacities, inherent strengths to shape
their lives and thus enhances inner strength against
oppression, exclusion and discrimination. Education is
the enhancement of the political, social, economic and
spiritual strength of individuals and communities. It
envelops developing and building capacities of
individuals and communities to make them part of the
main stream society. Education is the means by which
societies have been known in history, to grow out of
oppression, towards democratic participation and
involvement. It is a powerful tool for the empowerment
of an individual. It is intrinsic to human personality and
carriesinstrumentalvalue.
However If I look back into the history of India,
education was never able to reach all people. Unequal
access to education has been rampant in India.
Discriminatory order in the caste system has been
instrumental in perpetuating this. Over generations some
sections of society have enjoyed the fruits of education
and the remaining majority of Indian communities
particularly the marginalized sections like Scheduled
04 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Education: The Most Powerful ToolEducation: The Most Powerful Tool
Arun Valan SJ
Article

5. and productive citizens.
In fact mothers are the
first teachers to the
children at home. The
better educated every
mother is the better will
she be able to shape and
mould the young ones
who are under their care, who are going to form a new
societyinfuture.
Napoleon was once asked, “what the great need of
France was?” He simply answered, “A nation's progress
is impossible without trained and educated mothers. If
the women of my country are not educated, about half of
the people will be ignorant,” such was the opinion of
Napoleon about educating women- folk. When God has
created men and women equally in his own image and
likeness, then why do we His creatures discriminate
women in so many ways? Although legally and
theoretically women are considered as equal to men,
there are still people who find it very difficult to accept
this truth and fail to practice this equality. It will be good
if they change their conservative mentality and broaden
their mind to accept the truth that women are not
submissive to men neither men to women. Educate every
girlandshewillcreateanewnation.
(Sheelaisaformerstudentof JDV)
ducation is the most important tool which offers
inner and outer strength to a person. It is the
Efundamental right of everyone. It creates an
ability to bring changes in one's own thought pattern as
well as in society. Education is not only about procuring
degrees but much more than that. It is about discovering
new things, ability to distinguish the good from bad, right
from wrong and much more. Education is a must for both
men and women to make a healthy society. Depriving
any one from education is depriving them from their
fundamental right. This fundamental right is very often
denied to women, mostly in developing countries. Many
educationists believe that education for girls and women
is the single most effective way to improve the lives of
individual families as well as bring economic
development to poor communities worldwide.
Educating a woman is beneficial not only for her, as the
old saying goes “when
you educate a man; you
educate a man but when
you educate a woman;
y o u e d u c a t e a
generation,” but for
humanity as a whole.
The consequence of
denying education to
women is visible today, the world over. However, some
conservative people in our society fail to understand this
st
truth. Even in the 21 century they say “girls are an
expense for the family so why to educate them and waste
our precious income!” If Kalpana Chawla, Medha
Patkar, Kiran Bedi and many more successful women's
parents had thought the same they wouldn't have been
able to bring pride and honour to our country. Why then
we are still unable to look at the brighter side, rather we
find it very comfortable to stick to our stereotype
mentality. Female education is the need of the hour. They
aretheones who createhappyhomes,eligible
05 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Sr. Sheela S. SSpS
Necessity of Educating WomenNecessity of Educating Women
Article

6. outside. Family is the first class room, where parents,
elders, and other members play a pivotal role in
educating or teaching a child to become a good and
responsible human being in society. Hence, family is like
a 'foundation' of each individual human, upon which the
essencesofhumanitybothmoralandethical arelaid.
On the other hand, in this present scenario,
academic achievements and degrees seem to be more
important than moral values and virtues. Hence, there
seems to be a drastic increase in
insincerity, bribery and
manipulation pertaining to
education. So much so that
academic achievements,
excellence, laurels and so called
degrees are being bought and
sold in broad day light. Today,
many people are ready to go to
any extent to buy false degrees
defeating the whole purpose of
education. It kills the very basic
moral and ethical value-systems
of society. As a result, a sense of
'authenticeducation'isbeingdiminisheddayby day.
Thus, 'educating to become human' can be
summarized in the words of great philosopher, Aristotle,
as he once said, “Educating the mind without
educating the heart is no educating.” Hence,
'educating the heart' is the key to 'educating to
become human'. Therefore, it is each ones
responsibility to have a crystal clear distinction between
the real and fake education. I know that it is a difficult
task and a challenging one too. Yet if we try we can
contribute our might toward making a more just world
filledwithlove.
(Ajay is a regent of Madhya Pradesh Province)
nce the former President of India A.P.J. Abdul
Kalam said, “Real education enhances the
Odignity of a human being and increases his or
her self- respect. If only the real sense of education could
be realized by each individual and carried forward in
every field of human activity, the world will be a much
better place to live in.” Education needs to go beyond just
creating intellectuals. It ought to train people to live lives
of truthfulness, honesty, charity, hospitality, tolerance,
love, kindness and sympathy.
Education needs to make one a
good and responsible human
being. It cannot be aimed at just
obtaining degrees but must help
one grow in character and virtues
which are the core and essence of
ourhumanlife.
Whenever I think of what
real education can do to us, the
first thought that comes, is that it
should build humans of
character. As the father of our
Nation rightly said, “Education
which does not mould character is wholly worthless.”
Furthermore, he adds saying that no education is true
education unless it is founded in 'truth' and 'non-
violence.' I entirely agree with his point of view
regarding real and authentic education. As a matter of
fact, real education leads one to live a virtuous life.These
essential elements beautify the life of each human
emitting the fragrance of 'peace' and 'tranquility' which
in turn lead to the sense of belongingness and community
in the society. The fact is that there is no specific time,
place, and age for educating others. Anybody can
educate anyone at any time, at any place. The only thing
is that one should be ready, willing, curious, and
receptive to being educated. Education or learning not
only takes place in the confined class rooms but also
06 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Educating To Become HumanEducating To Become Human
Ajay Bara SJ
Article

7. Chennai. Therefore the question still remains
unanswered, are we giving the best education to our
childrentobehumanswithhumanitarianvalues?
Parents are so conscious of selecting a better
school which has a name not because of their children's
future but for their own future so that they are taken care
of by these children. On the one hand by getting high fees
private schools are producing educated criminals and on
the other by receiving minimum education, poor students
are labelled as criminals of society. There is a remedy to
this problem. That is decentralisation. When we look at
cites, it has every facility. On the other side rural areas are
full of poverty. To overcome this problem, some of the
facilities which are available in cities ought to be shifted
to rural areas. If they do so, then automatically education
will also reach the rural areas of our
country. In most of the European
countries they are following this
system.
When we look back at our history,
India is the land which gave the
enlightened Buddha to this world.
When the western world was developing their
philosophies, we were at the peak of philosophical
knowledge and ideas, though it was not well appreciated
by the West. Nalanda University is our heritage which is
said to be the giver of knowledge from the ancient times.
The steps for alternative education system were
introduced and experimented through Shantiniketen by
the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, which is now a
university campus.Yet we through our modern education
system are producing flocks of fools, flocking for the
same job opportunities and adding to the unemployed
numbers of our country. It's we who are creating the rift
among us, so let us rise and fight for what belongs to us i.e
the gift of education but if this mode of education
continues, it is a clear indication that our future
generationisgoingtowritethedarkhistoryofourtimes.
rd
(Valan is a 3 yr Philosopher at JDV )
ndia is a land where journeying every four hours we
face different cultures with their own education
Isystems! Unfortunately during the British rule, we
adopted their educational system. Adopting a different
educational system is in itself not a big issue, but instead
of educating the students, the above system has just
spoiled their life. It is not a hypothetical statement since
the crime news about minors is an evidence to this. In this
great struggle the Private sectors as well as the
Government are both eyeing at the education system as
merelyaconsumerproduct.
In India, most of the Government schools are like
horse stables.There are no basic facilities for the students
in these Government schools. Showing these reasons the
people who are in the highest positions want their
children to be educated by the private
schools. This gives rise to the problem
that all the good private educational
institutions are instituted in urban areas
whereas government schools continue
in rural areas as they are in a shabby
condition.
People who are above the poverty line admit their
children in these private schools hoping to get a better
education for their kids. They spend any amount to get
into these schools, but the question to ponder is, after
getting a high amount in the form of fees, are these
schools really giving the best standard education to these
children? No! For their school's results they are
producing mark-scoring machines. Most people think
that all the criminals come out from ordinary local
government schools of their own place, but that is not
true. Here is a true story that happened in Tamil Nadu on
th,
9 2012. A teacher was stabbed by a student
with a knife because he was asked by the teacher to show
the Hindi homework that was assigned to be done. He
th
was just a 9 standard student studying in a well known
school situated in the heart of the city in Chennai Paris
Corner, named St. Mary's Higher Secondary School
February
07 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
The Darkness of Our Time
(A Critical View of Rural And Urban Education)
The Darkness of Our Time
(A Critical View of Rural And Urban Education)
Article
Br. Valan Arasu

8. and technology while on the other, species after species
are becoming extinct. The documentary of David
Attenborough “State of the Planet” significantly portraits
the misconduct of human beings such as killing of animal
species, eliminating a number of trees and plants,
mounting pollution etc. which have serious implications
for mother earth, especially for the future generations of
ours. Perhaps they won't be able to enjoy the variety of
lifethatwedo now.
The education people acquire in educational
institutions and universities plays a vital role in shaping
them. It has created professionals in every field.
However, this system has only distanced us from our
mother earth.The most educated people are seen littering
the place and the most uneducated are seen cleaning the
earth. Our education system today is only focused on
making money which eventually leads to polluting
mother nature. Everything revolves around the idea of
production and consumption, no matter what happens to
others. Nobody cares here for anyone.
Actually, human beings have lost their real being and
they have become money beings. They have the very
forgotten fact that “they come from dust and into the dust
they go,” which means they belong to this very nature.
Pope Francis, through his encyclical Laudato Si, calls
the church and the whole world to reconnect with
Mother Earth. Laudato Si is enabling the world to
reconcile with nature and recognize the damage that is
done to it. One needs to learn from our tribal brothers and
sisters who have great traditional practice of passing
knowledge of nature from generation to generation, so to
say, to look at nature as God and mother. The incident at
niyyamgiri gives a vivid example of how one must teach
and act for the cause of nature. Let us begin to be human
onceagain.
nd
(Wilson is a 3 yr Philosopher at JDV)
verything in this very world is designed so
artistically. You would see things exceptionally
Ebeautiful, unique and adequate in themselves.
They are never alike. Even the so called twins have
differences in behavior and attitude. The world where we
live in is diverse in nature. There are around 8.74 million
species on earth according to the recent United Nations
Environment Programme. There are species like plants,
animalsandof coursehumans.
The human species is one of the most intelligent,
rational and supreme species on earth. Human beings
have made great strides, be it in terms of science,
sociology, technology, politics, administration and so
forth. Yet, human species seems to be the most irrational
among all of them. At times the ability of rational
thinking and the intelligence to choose has led humans
down the wrong path. The pity is that, even in this
modern scenario they have stopped thinking, critically,
rationally and maybe constructively. They are often
influenced by the evil things that happen around them
and they become insensitive and intolerant to the needs
of their neighbours. Neighbours could be even the
cosmos and everything that belongs to it. The amount of
harm people do every day to the environment is
enormous. On one had there are great strides in science
08 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Ecology and EducationEcology and Education
Wilson Kujur SJ
Article

9. Is there a complacent attitude of mere mediocrity in our
approaches?
Modern education is indeed attempting to respond
to the demands and realities of the day. But, one needs to
perceiveifitisactuallyeducatingorjustteaching.
The only focus of modern
education is to fend for
yourself and to get a job. It
makes one aspire for an
economically lucrative
profession. Materiality and
Consumerism are two
wings that sway our lives
today and that's a value we
get from modern educational systems, that are
themselves captivesof thesetwoswings.
But this is the reality today. Can we in our system
of educating be blind to this reality and continue with the
rusted methodology that has no effect on this
generation? Can we prepare our children to face the
present reality with a different value?Are we educating?
Can we educate like the way we did before? Or we are
happy to be trapped in the footsteps of these modern
educationalsystems.
Ithinkweneedtorevampourselveswiththefollowing:
1. Beawareof therealitywefacetoday.
2. Focus ontheconcretizationofourvisions.
3. Get liberated from traditions that do not support
change.
4. Always aim for excellence with a value based on a
selflesslife.
5. Don't beswayedwithafocusonlyoncompetition.
6. Creativity, innovation needs to be reintroduced
withcourage.
7. Educatedon't justteach.
(Amit is a Deacon of Goa Province)
omparing our old Church education system and
the modern education, one wonders if we (the
Cchurch in general) are in keeping pace with the
world, especially when it comes to reflecting on the
education we impart today. New realities need new
responses. Is the Church in tune with the new realities we
facetoday?
History does tell us
that the Church has, in most
parts of the globe,
spearheaded the imparting
of education. The Jesuits in
particular are known for
t h e i r p i o n e e r i n g ,
innovative and very
creative approaches to educate the masses, having their
beginnings in Europe and carrying it along to all parts of
the world, even to remote places where nobody dares to
go. Other religious orders and Christian denominations
have also involved themselves to educate in myriad
ways.
But, the growth of so many educational systems
sprinting ahead of us leaving our system (Church run
educational institutes/system) lagging. This is an area for
reflectionandurgentchange.
Our goals are clear. There exists an articulation of
very creative visions. The structures are huge. The
locations of our institutes are in prime geographical
settings. Many flock to our institutes. What then makes
us still fall back and only follow, instead of leading and
having a say in the major changes in the field of
education?
Are we hiding behind a veil of value based
education and justifying ourselves by saying that modern
education is debasing? Can we really say we do not have
the necessary resources to keep pace with modern times?
Have we lost our sense of being present to the present?
Areourpioneeringandcreativewellsdriedup?
09 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Questions and Reflections… on EducationQuestions and Reflections… on Education
Amit D’Souza SJ
Article

10. Good Schooling is essential for every society and
individual. It's a preparatory phase to face the challenges
that the bigger school called 'world' will offer us when we
are left out on the road of life. For many of us, the days
spentinschool arethebestdays inourlives.
Most irritating moment – morning alarm
Most difficult task – to find socks
Most dreadful journey – way to class
Most lovely time – meeting and playing with friends
Most tragic moments – surprise test in the first period
Most wonderful news – Teacher is absent
School is a meeting place of students and teachers. In this
temple of learning, a student learns the 'life skills' of
living needed in society for the later part of life.
Schooling teaches moral, social, spiritual and human
values of life. Schooling teaches us to give equal
opportunities in all aspects irrespective of caste, creed,
colour, sex and religion. It teaches us to live in harmony
with society, nature and self. Thus it is called the temple
of learning as we all grow under one umbrella in
fellowship and love. The most beautiful scene of
schooling is that of a child entering school in the morning
crying and hesitant but getting out of school in the
evening happy and cheerful having learnt values of life.
It is here that he forgets his joys and sorrows through
reading and writing, playing and sitting and sharing the
tiffin with the other, giving blows at times yet holding
hands and walking together as friends cherishing and
shaping their dreams of the future. Oh, what
imaginations they bring out!All of it is the fruit of school
andteachingthatbrings outthebestinthem.
Cont’d on Pg11
nce a teacher wrote to her students who were
going to appear for their exams, “Dear
Ostudents, soon you are going to appear for
exam, remember that this exam will not assess all what
makes each of you exceptional and unique. This exam
will not evaluate the love you have for your friends, the
help you give, the talents and skills you have, or for that
matter the ‘inner you’that has a heart for the poor, desire
to be with your sick, or the helping hand that you lend to
your parents. The scores you get in this exam will only
tell you what you did on that day and not what you are.
They cannot tell you how amazing and special you are.
And remember always that there is no one way to 'test' all
ofthewonderfulthingsthatmakeyou'YOU'.”
Teaching is a skill which not all possess. There are
few who teach for life and it gets registered in the minds
of students, whereas there are few who teach and
children struggle to grasp what is being taught. I always
ask myself, “why after long years of study an educated
or so called 'civilised' MBBS student runs here and there
to find happiness and satisfaction in life and commits
suicide, while the so called 'illiterate man' a farmer lives
happily with nothing much in life. Have we failed
somewhere along the way in our teaching? Are we
teaching pupils to cope with life or just preparing
finished products all with same intellectual abilities
withouthumanvaluesandlifepromotingskills?
10 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Teaching, Schooling and MouldingTeaching, Schooling and Moulding
Josephvaz Monteiro S.J
Article

11. (cont’dfrompage10)
A school is the foundation of every individual. We
all are taught and we learn from that one umbrella called
'School', yet we become different when we step out of
that same umbrella. Some are remembered for the good
works they do and few for their bad deeds. A teacher
gives freely what she has and must continue with hope
taking courage from the letter of Abraham Lincoln. He
wrote, “My son will have to learn that all men are not just,
and that all men are not true. But teach him also that for
every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every selfish
politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for
every enemy there is a friend. That a dollar earned is far
more valuable than five found. Teach him to learn to lose
and also to enjoy winning. Teach him, the wonder of
books, but also give him quiet time to ponder over the
eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and
flowers on a green hillside. Teach him that it is far more
honourable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him that he is
wrong. Teach him, how to laugh when he is sad. Teach
him that there is no shame in tears. Treat him gently; but
do not cuddle him because only the test of fire makes fine
steel.” Yes education silhouettes every being into what
they are meant to be, some need pruning, some filing,
some a gentle touch with love and care, some have to be
melted down to form perfect human beings, all of which
is done through schooling and teaching with a sense of
parental touch in their approach towards every child in
care.
Education is a lifelong process that will never end
till one dies. It is always in giving that one receives and
the one receiving benefits by sharing it with others
grows. Education teaches us that 'BEING MORE' is
importantthan'HAVING MORE'.
(Josephvaz is a Deacon of Karnataka Province)
hat nobler employment, or more valuable
to the state, than that of a man who instructs
Wthe rising generation” Marcus Tullius
Cicero
I started my career as a teacher 15 years ago
without knowing what would be the journey in the future,
but when I look back at the years gone by, I see a beautiful
picture,awonderfulblessing.
'A teacher is always a student', is what I believe,
learning from the students various aspects of life which
cannot be expressed in words or found in no book.
Teaching as a profession for me has been my moment of
pride & humility, with a great sense of responsibility,
knowing that, what knowledge is shared with my
students will be the foundation for a better future to make
them better citizens for tomorrow. This has developed in
me a great sense of honesty and sincerity towards my
profession and my students, making me a better human
beingthanwhatI was or whatIwould havebecome.
Every minute of my teaching experience has been
unique and special which I owe to the Almighty and my
students,foritistheywho helpmegrow as ateacher.
(Mr.Franklin Salvi is a professor at St Vincent’s
College of Commerce, Pune)
11
JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
My Experience as a TeacherMy Experience as a Teacher
Franklin Salvi
Teaching, Schooling and
Moulding
Teaching, Schooling and
Moulding
Article

12. Kerala stands first as the most literate state in India
according to the 2011 census. But the census also shows
that the suicide rate among the youngsters is pretty high
with 8431cases reported.This shocking data along with
the above mentioned story causes us to re-think about the
type of education which we impart to our children. There
is no doubt that the amount of information which our
children acquire now is enormous but is education only a
gathering of information or is it about gaining
knowledge!
We should distinguish
between education and
information. Education is
what forms the character
and confidence of children
in the midst of harsh
realities of life. Information
acquired will help in
getting good grades in the
competitive world but
education will help them
throughout their life,
especially when they face the cut throat competitive
tendenciesof theworld.
We need to have certain check points to make
sure whether our children are being educated or not. An
educated child will value virtues like truth and justice
rather than achieving high marks at any cost. And more
importantly a child will show a sense of gratitude and
respect towards his/her teachers for teaching them. It is
high time that we need to have a holistic understanding of
education.Aperson's education is not decided by her/his
grades but from her/his very own life. Sadly, only
information is being transmitted in the schools rather
than knowledge. Our schools should be the sanctuary of
knowledgeandnottheplacesof informationsharing.
rd
(Tinu is a 3 yr Theologian at JDV)
ast September I was attending a conference on
education of which, Sri. N Prasanth IAS, the
Ldistrict collector of Calicut was the chief guest.
In his address to the audience he shared a story of an old
teacher. Once while the teacher was on his way to the
school he took a rather crowded bus. In the bus a middle
aged man stood up and greeted him, for that man was the
master's student in the past. The man then invited the
teacher to occupy his seat.The old man was moved by the
display of respect but he politely denied the request.
While this was going on, a
young boy seized the
opportunity and grabbed
the seat. The boy then gave
a nod of recognition to the
old teacher because the boy
was the present student of
the teacher. The audience
laughed at the ironical
twist. Then the collector
asked the audience, “who is
at fault?” the answer was
obvious- 'the young boy'
who had not shown any respect to the master. But the
collector said that it was not the fault of the young boy but
of the syllabus. In earlier days importance was given to
values and relationships, but now, with the change of the
syllabus, teaching is only a job and what is taught in the
schools is meant only for examinations and grades but
notforlife.
Nelson Mandela had once said, “Education is the
most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.”
Today the world has changed to the extent that we get all
information at our finger tips. The word education comes
from the Latin word 'educare' which means 'to bring out'
or 'lead forth'. It is meant to bring out the potentiality of
the child's mind. Hence the primary goal of education is
to teach one to think intensively and critically, to enhance
intelligenceandtoform character.
12 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Education or InformationEducation or Information
Tinu Pondicherry SJ
Article

13. limited knowledge to give correct answers to their
children can sometimes be a challenge for them. As the
first teachers, the challenges for parents within their
limitations are to provide the best to their children and to
makethemselfreliant.
FromParentstoTeachers:
As time passes, the role of parents as teachers is
shared by many. From Kindergarten to Professional
Colleges and beyond, one comes across many teachers.
The challenges of these teachers are many, depending on
a variety of factors including the growth of the student,
but to have 'togetherness', is a challenge common to all
teachers.
Belongingness is our essential entity. The thoughts
of a student ought to be in the same direction as that of
his/her teacher. When one lacks belongingness the
student fails to understand the meaning of punishment
and ends up being at rage with his/her teacher. This
results in misbehaviour and lack of respect towards the
teacherwhichcanbechallenging.
Nature as a Teacher
Nature is our teacher, whose teachings are mainly
mysterious, difficult to understand and often neglected.
Observation and reflection will help us understand the
lessons of nature. Nature teaches us many values like
impartiality, generosity etc., by showing no
discrimination in its process of giving. Nature always
maintains a 'togetherness' with all the beings on this
earth. Life on earth is possible only because of this
'togetherness'. Though our life is well sustained and well
maintained by our mother nature, we forget this
'togetherness' and disobey. This disobedience becomes
the greatest challenge for nature. Nature does not expect
anything return but it deserves its due respect. Sadly, this
isnotgivenimportance.
(Cont’d on pg 14)
Oṁ Saha nāvavatu
saha nau bhunaktu
Saha vīryam karavāvahai
Tejasvi nāvadhītamastu
Mā vidviṣāvahai
Oṁ Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ
This mantra is one of the shanti (peace) mantras
and it finds its origin in the Taittiriya Upanisad. This
mantra depicts the relationship between teacher and his
student(s).Thetranslationof thismantrais,
Let it protect both of us (teacher and student) together.
Let it nourishes us together.
Let us do hard work together.
Let what we have studied be enlightening.
Let us not hate each other.
Saha and Togetherness
The word 'Saha' is used three times in this mantra.
The word 'saha' means 'together.’Togetherness is one of
the most important factors in a teacher - student
relationship and its absence creates a problem in the
process ofeducation.
Education cannot be static; it is a dynamic process
which starts from limitations and moves to the highest
possibilities of a person. A teacher is the one who points
out ones areas of growth and makes him/her aware of
his/her possibilities and shows the way to it. It is
impossible for a teacher to show this by standing away
from student(s); hence a sense of 'togetherness' is
necessary. The greatest challenge of a teacher is to have
andtomaintainthistogetherness.
TheFirst Teachers
Family is the first and the best school; and parents
are the first and the best teachers. They are the people
who initiate a child to society and to the world. There is
an innate 'togetherness' within parents and children. This
is an advantage to the parents as first teachers, but their
13 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Togetherness And ChallengesTogetherness And Challenges
Article
Br. Garrison Paiva

14. others his/her own beliefs and thoughts. He/she also
knows how to influence others and have a common
understanding. Furthermore, one develops the ability to
bear with others when the situation demands for it. If one
is not able to accompany others and bring smiles on their
faces then I think he/she ought not to be considered as
educated. Being a social being, each one of has got a
certain responsibility towards others; therefore all our
words and actions should be centered on others as well.
An educated person must
have an aim in life because to have
an aim is to act with meaning.
Such life will lead them to work
for the welfare of others too.There
will be sympathy for the poor and
the oppressed and various steps
will be taken to alleviate the
suffering humanity. If everyone is
educated in this way then each one
will respect the other's dignity.
Each one will mix with others and
try all possible ways to build a true
social atmosphere. Each one will
flourish in life and the dynamics
oflifewillbefullyactiveandalive.
(Jeevan is a regent of Patna Province)
s I ponder over the question, “Who is
educated?” or “What does it mean to be an
Aeducated person?” I realize that we often
identify education with many degrees and higher
positions. We also tend to believe that the longer the
catalogue of degree we have, the more educated we are. I
think it is a very narrow and foolish idea educated which
not only leads us to be corrupt, dishonest, insensitive and
cruelbutalsoleadsus tobeinhuman.
A quote by Aristotle hits
my mind which says, “Educating
the mind without educating the
heart is no education at all.” I fully
agree to whatAristotle has said. In
this present era, people have been
so busy in educating their minds
that they hardly have time to
educate their heart. In fact, the
complete development of one's
personality, intellect and morality
is almost erased from their mind.
With the various advancements,
our modes of education have
completely changed. The whole
life orientation has become very subjective. Today's
learning makes one to think only for oneself. I think,
because of this prevailing thought, our younger
generations are slowly cultivating the same attitude. The
time does not seem to be far when our younger
generationswillalsofallinthesameditch.
I am very much taken up by the understanding of
Newman, who says that an educated person is the one
who is able to accommodate oneself to others. In fact,
this should be the attitude which each one of us needs to
have in mind and thus we should help our younger
generations to cultivate this attitude in their life. With
thisattitude, one knows how to throw oneself into
people's state of mind. One knows how to bring before
14 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Who is Educated? A CritiqueWho is Educated? A Critique
(cont’dfrompg13)
Whether it is a teacher or a student, the lack of
'togetherness' remains the main cause of all challenges,
but by maintaining this 'togetherness' we can overcome
allthechallengesofateacher-studentrelationship.
(Garrison is a 3rd yr Philosopher at JDV)
Togetherness And ChallengesTogetherness And Challenges
Jeevan Issac SJ
Article

15. However, many of us live in the past glory. We need to be
really Jesuitical; hard working, impartial, discerning,
creative, intellectual and spiritually people oriented. We
need to be part of global endeavors, but acting locally,
basedontheJesuitlegacy.
4. What are the major challenges we are facing as
minorityinstitutions intheSouthAsianAssistancy?
There are lots of challenges we face today. First of all
we need to feel the need for a more corporate sense
among all the Jesuit Institutions in the South Asian
Assistancy by strengthening the JEA. Externally, there
are challenges from the Right Wing ideology that are
against Minority status for our schools. So, influenced by
this ideology, the Governments and officials act against
us, parents are instigated against us and we face many
legalhurdles.Theseallaffectour smoothfunctioning.
5. What sort of an education system would you
suggest forthechildrenoftoday?
I suggest a system that caters to the needs of all the
aspects of human life. We could call it integral education.
The problem is, today's system is very often memory
based, marks oriented, and bookish in nature. The result
is we make 'intellectual monsters' who do not know how
to be human.Therefore I suggest more of a collaborative,
cooperative learning system, a caring and mentoring
teaching, and a skill developing learning system based on
theunderstandingofMultipleIntelligence.
6. In what way do you see the education system as a
means tokindleaflamefortheworld?
I believe only true education can change the world.An
education that changes the mind set of people to a more
humane and harmonious world is the need of the hour.
Jesuit Education is a step forward in that direction. If
education makes one gripped by the love of God and love
for people, the rest will follow. The whole world will be
inlight.Weallneedtowork moretowards that.
1. In what way will you define the present education
system ofours?
The present system of Education in South Asia is
more marks oriented and based purely on memorization.
Successive education policies of the Governments have
made it more ineffective and inefficient. In India, the
proposed New Education Policy of the present Central
Government is more in the name of Indianisation based
on their ideology. All indications suggest a backward
looking policy in the making. We have suggested more
progressivepolicyproposals tothegovernment.
Jesuit education in General and in South Asia in
particular is attempting to make students and teachers
persons of humanness. Ultimately all need to understand
the purpose of education; integral and person oriented.
We need to be out of the obsolete memory based system
towards acreativeanddynamicsystem.
2. Having visited the assistancy’s educational
institutes what is theneedof thehourforus?
The need of the hour is to come out of the deadly trap
of our 'satisfactory underperformance'. Our men must
not be administrators of our schools; rather they must be
animators to all our stakeholders. The need of the hour is
to educate our men and our collaborators about the vision
and mission of the Society and about strengths of our
legacy. It is also important to be united and to face the
challenges as a body. Towards these full time education
coordinators for the provinces, especially those one have
more schools, and also Zonal coordinators with more
powers is a must. Provinces, Zones, and the JEA must
work as a team for the consolidation and expansion of the
Mission.
3. Education being the major apostolate of the
Jesuits, what are the ways in which we need to adapt
in order to live up to the standards of our society,
A.M.D.G.?
Yes, Education is the major apostolate, no doubt.
15 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Interview with Fr. Sunny Jacob S.J.
JEA - SA Secretary
Interview with Fr. Sunny Jacob S.J.
JEA - SA Secretary
Fr. Sunny Jacob SJ

16. innovative, think differently, there is always a better way
forus as teachersandeducators.
10.Ten years from now, how do you wish the
educationalinstitutions to be?
I wish our educational Institutions be centers of
leadership in the locality wherever they are placed. In ten
years from now I would like to see our Jesuits play
greater role as animators and leaders. I wish to see our
Educational institutions concentrate on research,
innovations, policy interventions and be centers of
excellence in all spheres. My dream is to see Jesuits play
greater role in shaping the future of the nation, as we did
in the past. Let our life tell the people what we are and
what we stand for. Time has come for us to be more
proactive leaders of people. In ten years, I also visualize
that there will be an innovative flagship programme for
the South Asian Assistancy, like Fe Ye Alegria of Latin
America or the Cristo Rey Model in the West, that will
give us a new identity and a brand of a Jesuit Institution.
Let our Education be kindling of a Flame to the
Assistancy andtheworld.
7. Looking at oureducational institutions, what is the
feelingyou getas aJEAsecretary?
I get a feeling of satisfaction, encouragement and
hope. I am sure we Jesuits will never succumb to
complacency.We ought to work as a team, consolidating
our existing schools and thus reach out effectively to
more and newer areas. We will assume the role of
animators than merely school administrators. We need to
train ourselves and our collaborators in Jesuit legacy and
tradition. JEA is organizing National level and Zonal
level sustained training programmes for this purpose.An
Expert team is already in place. External evaluation is
also on. We will set things right and move forward with
muchvigourandvision.
8. Can you share your experience of teaching and the
roleas aJEAsecretary?
I love teaching, teaching is my passion. In the schools
I worked, I used to teach as a full timer. Even as the
principal I found time to teach, to visit families of
children, meeting with parents and practice the Jesuit
Magis. As JEA Secretary, it is a different role altogether.
It is more of coordinating of all our institutions and to act
as a link between the International Jesuit Education and
the JEA. The effectiveness of the JEAgreatly depends on
the network among the Zonal and province level
educational endeavours. I feel, we are in the right
direction now, only the pace has to increase.
Communicationisaboon toour effectivenesstoday.
9. What is your message to the readers especially to
those involvedintheteachingministry?
The enemies of success are: 1. Laziness. 2. Fear. 3.
Complacency. 4. Lack of awareness of our roots. I think
if we can overcome all these four enemies, and put on the
armour of Jesuitness in our approach, we will achieve
what St. Ignatius envisaged and many of our great
predecessors relentlessly carried on. So, be creative, be
16 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016

17. Thatwewillbringintooursociety.
I remember that there was a boy in our school
who was asked by a journalist, “Why are the Taliban
against education?” He answered very simply. By
pointing to his book he said, “A Taliban doesn't know
what is written inside this book.” They think that God is a
tiny, little conservative being who would send girls to the
hell just because of going to school. The terrorists are
misusing the name of Islam and Pashtun society for their
own personal benefits. Pakistan is peace-loving
democratic country. Pashtuns want education for their
daughters and sons. And Islam is a religion of peace,
humanity and brotherhood. Islam says that it is not only
each child's right to get education, rather it is their duty
andresponsibility.
Honourable Secretary
General, peace is necessary for
education. In many parts of the
world especially Pakistan and
Afghanistan; terrorism, wars
and conflicts stop children to
go to their schools. We are
really tired of these wars.
Women and children are
suffering in many parts of the world in many ways. In
India, innocent and poor children are victims of child
labour. Many schools have been destroyed in Nigeria.
People in Afghanistan have been affected by the hurdles
of extremism for decades. Young girls have to do
domestic child labour and are forced to get married at
early age. Poverty, ignorance, injustice, racism and the
deprivation of basic rights are the main problems faced
bybothmenandwomen.
Dear fellows, today I am focusing on women's
rights and girls' education because they are suffering the
most. There was a time when women social activists
asked men to stand up for their rights. But, this time, we
Dear brothers and sisters do remember one thing.
Malala day is not my day. Today is the day of every
woman, every boy and every girl who have raised their
voice for their rights. There are hundreds of Human
rights activists and social workers who are not only
speaking for human rights, but who are struggling to
achieve their goals of education, peace and equality.
Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists
andmillionshavebeeninjured.Iamjustoneof them.
So hereIstand... onegirlamongmany.
Dear Friends, on the 9th of October 2012, the
Talibanshot meon the leftside of my forehead.Theyshot
my friends too. They thought that the bullets would
silence us. But they failed.And
then, out of that silence came,
thousands of voices.
Dear sisters and
brothers, I am not against
anyone. Neither am I here to
speak in terms of personal
revenge against the Taliban or
any other terrorists group. I am
here to speak up for the right of
education of every child. I
want education for the sons and the daughters of all the
extremistsespeciallytheTaliban.
The wise saying, “The pen is mightier than
sword” was true. The extremists are afraid of books and
pens. The power of education frightens them. They are
afraid of women. The power of the voice of women
frightens them. And that is why they killed 14 innocent
medical students in the recent attack in Quetta. And that
is why they killed many female teachers and polio
workers in Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa and FATA. That is
why they are blasting schools every day. Because they
were and they are afraid of change, afraid of the equality
17 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
Excerpts of Malala’s speech at the UNExcerpts of Malala’s speech at the UN
Speech

18. will do it by ourselves. I am not telling men to step away
from speaking for women's rights rather I am focusing on
womentobeindependenttofightfor themselves.
Dear sisters and brothers, now it's time to speak
up. So today, we call upon the world leaders to change
their strategic policies in favour of peace and prosperity.
We call upon the world leaders that all the peace deals
must protect women and children's rights. We call upon
all governments to ensure free compulsory education for
every child all over the world and to fight against
terrorism and violence, to protect children from brutality
and harm.We call upon the developed nations to support
the expansion of educational opportunities for girls in the
developing world.We call upon all communities to be
tolerant – to reject prejudice based on cast, creed, sect,
religion or gender. We call upon our sisters around the
world to be brave to embrace the strength within
themselvesandrealisetheirfullpotential.
Dear brothers and sisters, we want schools and
education for every child's bright future. We will
continue our journey to our destination of peace and
education for everyone. No one can stop us. We will
speak for our rights and we will bring change through our
voice. We must believe in the power and the strength of
our words. Our words can change the world. Because we
are all together, united for the cause of education. And if
we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower
ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield
ourselveswithunityandtogetherness.
Dear brothers and sisters, we must not forget that
millions of people are suffering from poverty, injustice
and ignorance. We must not forget that millions of
childrenareoutofschools.
So let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy,
poverty and terrorism and let us pick up our books and
pens.Theyareourmostpowerfulweapons.
18 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016
"One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can
changetheworld."
Education is the only solution. Education First.
(Malala is a youngest Noble Prize winner)
(Cont’d from page 03)
The crucial role of the Indian educational system
is already well-known, given the demographic dividend
India enjoys. By the end of this decade, India will be the
only country in the world with a surplus workforce. But
without a proper education kindling the flame of a positive
contribution to world prosperity and human wellbeing,
the fires of social unrest at home may be unavoidable. The
opportunity stares at us in the face – our great human
potentialtomatchtheunparalledglobalneed.
India acutely experiences the need for
governmental will and civil society engagement, in
putting together a good educational system available to
every Indian. The autonomy of educational institutions
and educationists, with backing from every section of
Indian society, will help to make India a nation that can
play its role in global society. Our culture and our people
have an important contribution to make to the world –
something unique, with depth of meaning and a quality of
life that the world hungers for in the midst of its material
degeneration. Education alone can kindle that flame in
young India.
The key to quality education, with equity and
inclusion, is the very element we have plenty – human
resource. A highly motivated teaching faculty, well
trained and supported, with the autonomy to try out
creative initiatives, can transform education in a few
years. That's the million dollar question: What will
motivateourteachers?
(Frazer is the former principal of St. Xavier’s
College Mumbai)
Fanning the Flame

20. 03 JUNE 2016JUNE 2016