Jesuit Education

It was  a group of dreamers , flock of visionaries, bunch of revolutionary thinkers, who in an unimaginary way came together to make a society which is well known to be ‘Society of Jesus’,  to which I belong to.

Amidst the stormy and the chaotic scenario  in the church created by  martin Luther, 9 pillars came to support and strengthen the mother church. No doubt, Martin Luther was very much reasonable in his arguments and mere spiritual powers weren’t’ t enough to tackle the situation. It’s there possibly people realized that reason needs to be tackled by reason itself. Thus, I believe educating the young minds became one of the primary mission of the Society of Jesus. Thus Jesuits, the members of the Society of Jesus  are rightly known as “College Fathers” or “School Masters”.This paper deals exclusively on Jesuit education and the issues and concerns especially in Karnataka Jesuit province.

The question is whether or not, the schools that we call ‘Jesuit’ still retain their Jesuit identity?

Jesuit education always had its own identity and standing  even amidst the opposing and competitive world. But there are several concerns that are raised today about the same Jesuit way of Education and I believe many of those concerns are genuine and need to be looked into urgently.

Core objectives of Jesuit Education:

1.      The supreme purpose of Jesuit education is to form men and women for others.

2.      To impart values in students that transcends money, fame and power.

3.      To form people, who desire to eliminate social conflicts and eager to share their faith with others.

4.      In general, it is to prepare leaders in service.

 This has been the goal of Jesuit education, since its origin and it remains so even today.

Inspiration for Jesuit Education:

No doubt, the basic and much sought after inspiration for Jesuit style of education flows from Ignatian Spirituality that drives and motivates every Jesuit.

Exceprts from Fr Peter Hans Kolvenbach’s Letter on Jesuit Education:

The Ignatian World View:

1.      Is affirming: To know the world better is to know God Better.

2.      Is comprehensive: Call to a genuinely humanistic education-Literature, History, Arts ,Science, Philosophy and Theology.

3.      Empasis on Fredom: It’s a freedom from Ignorance, prejudice, limited horizons and distorted values and desires.

4.      Discerning: Persons are taught to know the world, examine its attitude, challenge  assumptions and analyze motives.

5.      Provides ample opportunity in forming  intellect and affectivity in forming leaders.

Jesuits and Value Oriented Education:

All teachings impart values. Values are something dear, precious and worthwhile. Values give an identity to the person. It is through values that we can form an ideal human and an ideal human society. A rigorous probing study of crucial human problems and concerns will be an essential contribution in forming a just society.

            We have an option for the poor. This doesn’t mean we do not educate others. We educate the rich, poor and the middle class from the perspective of justice. Ignatius wanted Jesuit schools to be open to all. We aim at forming quality leaders for tomorrow through our educational institutions. Jesuit education aims at providing education for responsible citizenship in the global village.

Educational in Karnataka Jesuit Province:

My reflections here flow from the limited experience and the exposure I have, in this line.

We the Jesuits in Karnataka are privileged to have well known and renowned institutions like St Aloysius in Mangalore, St Joseph’s in Bangalore and several other schools and colleges coming up in various missions.

1.      As a child, I had heard lot about Jesuit education. My physics professor in P.U.C. was a product of Jesuits in Mangalore. He often spoke about the great stories, inspiration that St Aloysius provides. I did get the chance to study in the same college under same professors for my graduation. I was sure , I had the best of professors and they provided me with the best of knowledge of the subjects-Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics.  They taught me how to excel and how to survive well amidst the competitive world.

2.      As a novice, I had gone to Pannur Jesuit mission, for a month long experience. Our Jesuit institution had slowly brought in a revolution in the whole of that locality. One fine morning, a boy studying in our Loyola school came back home. Later on I realized that there were several other boys too, who were sent back, as they hadn’t paid their fees. The next day on the boy started to go to cow grazing. I am sure he will end up doing the same till the end.

3.      I worked as the first regent of St Joseph’s Community College, Bangalore- An institution, which is for the poor. I was very much thrilled and enthused as I received the appointment for I had heard a lot about the institution as, it uplifts the poor, province venture for the downtrodden, a saving hand to the unmotivated youth etc. It didn’t take much time for me to realize that all those were mere slogans. The crude reality was much different. Students were treated as dirt here. Anybody and everybody were allowed to come and take classes here. There was neither time table in the institution nor syllabus to be taught. Mind you, it was an institution in its 6^th year of existence. Fake accounts were submitted for auditing. Food that was given to these students was of such low quality, that even the beggars of today wouldn’t prefer to have it. Beating and thrashing the students, constant emotional torture to the students by the warden and the cook was a daily affair. Naturally students who completed their course here, never wished to come back  again.

More than often these and many such incidents have turmoiled my inner conscience , disturbed me with a valley of questions.

Concerns about Jesuit Education in Karnataka:

1.      As I mentioned earlier, most of our institutions provide quality education in terms of Academics. Students are a taught how to excel, how to compete and how to come up. But the most essential part –values, character formation and growing in social concern very much lacks in our institutions.

2.      Many of our students do not feel belong to the institutions. Possibly the lack of personal rapport of Jesuit, with students is causing the harm. Thus inspite of having prestigious institutions, our influence on the state governance is little.

3.      I personally think with the passing years, we are lacking clarity about our educational preferences or we are becoming more and more narrow minded. Suddenly there seems to be some kind of a shift in thinking from higher education to primary education. St Ignatius had it clearly in his mind, that we should form value based future leaders. For this I am sure, we need to be lot more active in the higher educational field. It’s here that we form and shape the policy makers.

4.      It’s a wide spread talk about our institutions in and outside the province that the courses offered in our colleges are still traditional. We are still stagnant with B.A., B.Sc, B.Com, M.A.,M.Sc and just now MBA, MCA,. Even when we are capable of lot more as we have personnel. A more dynamic, long term vision is lacking.

5.       It’s a genuine concern that our pro poor institutions are very much fees oriented still. This is clearly seen one of our old student, Mr Murali Manohar Joshi saying, ‘They gave me education and I paid them fees.’ There is a difference between paying Rs. 5 to a beggar and treating him equally.  The treatment given to the poorer sections of the student body, in some of our institutions, are not humane.

6.      At least some of our vacational training centres are just there for individual satisfactions. At times we do not find any kind of Jesuit way of functioning in these places. These institutions, if not properly managed, will be a black dot on Jesuit identity.

7.       I would not be wrong if I say that soon there will be a drought for students as we often follow outdated methods and syllabus in teaching. Corporate sectors, private schools will take over the educational field.

Challenges ahead:

1.      Concrete measure to be taken to improve the standards of education in terms of Syllabus, methods and creative self learning.

2.       Need for integrated teachers, who can contribute in shaping character and forming men and women for others.

3.      Strict monitoring on how the students are treated by the province higher educational commission and pull up Jesuit concerned if need be.

4.      Keep the focus clear on higher education in urban areas and Higher and primary education in rural areas.

5.       Begin new institutions like Engineering, Medical, Art, Media, Law etc.

Conclusion:

The future for Jesuits in Karnataka will not be of ease. As the forefathers, who were far sighted dreamers we need to dream big and long term amidst the storms of fundamentalism and other challenges. Let’s work to make our land and the society a better place for the last and the least and the lost. Let’s form men and women of quality and values for others.