From Ranchi Mission to Fifty Years of Ranchi Province

Curia Blog: Province Day 2005

From Ranchi Mission to Fifty Years of Ranchi Province

Posted on: May 25, 2005.

Modified on:

By Ranjit P. Toppo, S.J.

... Cont'd from page 2.

5.1 I learn that JCSA was forced to take such measures in order to match the international standards of the Jesuit-formation. It also dealt with the question regarding the tension of integration between study and apostolic experience Ours undergo in the course of formation. At times students paid more attention to their apostolates at the cost of their studies, it was noted. Priority wise too, the studies took a back seat. Well, one may always question the merit of such decisions, but we have to abide by some common standards and agreements.

5.2 In general, Ours have performed well and some have excelled in their studies. In the first letter that I have received from Fr. General, he once again reminds me to see to it that mediocrity does not enter into the Province men. I am sure Fr. General has great hopes in Ranchi Province, and since it is the second biggest Province in the Assistancy, he expects much more contribution at the national and international levels. I am sure our youngsters will take up the challenge and will not disappoint Fr. General and our Province men.

5.3 In the last five years or so, we have :

3 Ranchi Jesuits, who obtained Ph. D. Degrees
2 Licentiates (M.Th) form ecclesiastical colleges
5 Post graduates in Science stream
10 Post graduates in Arts stream
7 B. Ed.

5.4 In view of the nature of demands in the academic institutions for taking up any responsibility, we shall have to make concerted efforts to obtain the required degrees, either privately or through regular courses. Since the common entrance tests and national eligibility Tests are becoming increasingly mandatory for pursuance of any degree, more and more of ours will have to take this demand seriously in the days to come. All those who are appearing for postgraduate examinations must also attempt to appear in NET, even if you are not going to join in any college for teaching purpose.

6. Challenges in the Education Apostolate

Of the active Jesuits, some 74 -- comprising 34 per cent of the total active Jesuits in the Province -- are engaged in the Education Apostolate. Some 23991 students are studying in our 22 Primary, Middle and 16 High schools. Above 9000 students are studying in our college and post graduate sections. Thus, we are looking after around 33000(32991) students in our schools and college sections. We have now three 10+2 sections added in three schools of which St. Ignatius' got recognition this year. We hope, soon St. Mary’s Samtoli will obtain the necessary papers. Of the five candidates, who qualified in the UPSC this year from Jharkhand, three of them are from our schools; two from St. Ignatius' H. School Gumla and one from St. Xavier’s Doranda. As far as I am informed, all three of them studied at SXC, Ranchi.

6.1 Granting of Autonomy to SXC, Ranchi, addition of B.Ed. and separation of Intermediate Section are some of the key developments, which are in offing in the near future.

Addition of the two more Professional courses i.e. MBA in Finance and Marketing in XISS is soon going to see some smooth days, as both the courses are in the process of obtaining affiliation to some universities.

6.2 Another visible trend today is that more and more rural parishes or ours, where we run middle schools, are slowly augmenting their level of schooling to the level of High School. Thus we have a series of upcoming high schools like, Rumtukel, Vijaygiri, Keundtanr and the like. Today more and more Parishes are supported with a Primary or Middle School and also with a high school.

6.3 There is a trend of adopting the spirit of what Fr. General calls Creative Fidelity in our schools. Off shoots like Outreach Programmes, extra coaching for poor students, emphasis on games and sports, addition of computer section, and the likes are emerging more and more in our schools and colleges. Initiatives like these are only an expression of the spirit we want to abide by: the Ignatian spirit of Magis in our life and work.

6.4 Recent Trends in Education

Privatization of education: In Jharkhand as well as some other parts of the country. We are witnessing increasing role of private parties investing money in education, as for good many of them, it turns out to be a lucrative business. DAV's, DPS's and similar organizations are widening their network by opening several Public schools, thereby widening the gap between the education of the poor and the rich -- clearly fostering two classes in society. High school fees, specially designed curricula and international medium of instruction make these schools rather out of access for the ordinary people.
Safronization: Till recently we saw great moves from different sections of the society, including some Governments, to safronize the education system by introducing manipulative changes in the text books and history of the nation, forcing Sarswati Vandana and the like. While the debate seems to have died down for the moment, such moves continue to appear in disguise.
Regionalization: At the same time we have also noticed in different pockets, some experiments with regional languages as medium of instruction at the primary levels. Some groups have been actively seeking to introduce textbooks in the local languages, which carry the ethos and knowledge bank of the local people. These efforts have simultaneously tried to keep intact the international language i.e. English, lest the kids get isolated from the rest of the world.
Governmentization of education: In the recent past, the government executives have become more aware of the World Development Report and the status of their state. Concerns regarding literacy level and other development indexes have compelled them to introduce some Government funded projects where by they may get more control over the education system. This has resulted in the excessive interventions of the Government machinery in the education system.

Last updated: May 19, 2008.

Quote for the day

"There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread."

-- Mahatma Gandhi

Indigenous Peoples Creed

"We, the indigenous peoples, walk to the future in the footprints of our ancestors. From the smallest to the largest living being, from the four directions, from the air, the land and the mountains, the Creator has placed us, the indigenous peoples, upon our mother, the earth."

From: Indigenous Peoples Earth Charter (1992)

Who are the indigenous peoples?

UNO defines:

" …those which having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of societies now prevailing in those territories, or parts of them. They form at present non-dominant sectors of society and are determined to preserve, develop, and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the basis of their continued existence as peoples, in accordance with their own cultural patterns, social institutions and legal systems."

-- Martinez-Cobo, 1984.

Handiya Making

Handiya: Rice beer "Handiya" or rice beer in earthen pot is a popular local brew in Chotanagpur. Indeed, hardly any celebration would be complete without it. Excessive consumption of it is also a regrettably common sight.

School Dropouts

boy and girl "In addition to perpetuating the ills of Bihar, no suitable education policy to emancipate the tribals and backward classes has been worked out, despite several years of autonomy."

-- Fr. James Toppo, S.J. :2005. (See: resources)

Let them play

May 7, 2008: To an euphoric Jharkhand Government, unprecedented 184 child labourers were rescued from various restaurants, eateries and garages in the suburbs of Ranchi alone. The bigger question is how to dissuade the kids in the prevailing socio-economic condition.