Tamilnadu Catholic Educational Association

TANCEAN - Annual Report 2016 – 2017

TANCEAN had its inception in 1926. It is an officially registered body. It has been catering to the needs of the Catholic Educational institutions in Tamilnadu and Pondicherry. It has been acclaimed as the best organized in the Nation in implementing the Catholic Education Policy-2007 and its response to draft Education Policy gained national recognition following its success in stopping the Central Government from publishing its New Saffronised Education Policy.

Most Rev. George Antonysamy, the Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore is the chairman, Most Rev. Soundar Raj, the Bishop of Vellore and Sr. Fatima Paula, FIHM, Superior General are the Vice-chairmen of the Association.

Regular Meetings and Activities:

1. Governing Body Meeting on September 3, 2016 (9.30 am)

2. 62ndGeneral Body Meeting on September 3, 2016 (11.00 am)

3. Governing Body Meeting on January 27, 2017

4. Governing Body Meeting on 1, April, 2017

5. Lobbying with concerned Ministers and departmental officers

6. Random visits to schools and colleges

Significant programmes:

  1. Animation programme on June 25, 2016: A day’s workshop was organized for the heads and teachers of basic schools (KG to V Std). There were 185 participants. Modern, International and indigenous but effective approaches in Primary Education were elucidated to the audience. Mrs. Rochelle Lobo from Mumbai and Mrs. Nicholas Geraldine from Oman were the resource persons.
  1. July 16, 2016: Another day’s seminar on the Draft New Education Policy – 2016, at St. Bede’s CBSE School, Chennai. Representatives from Tamilnadu and Pondicherry attended it in large numbers. More than 1000 participants interacted in the discussion.
  1. July 30,2016 – till August 10, 2016:Rallies, Demonstrations and submission of the Memorandum rejecting the National Education Policy, 2016 in toto to the District Collectors, local political bigwigs and governmental officials and emailing of the same to Ministry of Human Resource Department, Delhi were done by all the Catholic Dioceses. CSI Christians and Muslim friends also joined us.
  1. August 2, 2016: Submission of the Memorandum to His Excellency Dr. Rosaiah, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, with a group of Priest & Sisters, headed by Most Rev. George Antonysamy, the President of TANCEAN.
  1. August 15, 2016: Met Mr. Siva, the Rajya Sabha Member from Trichy and apprised him of our Responses to Draft National Education Policy-2016. He promised that he would, through the Standing Parliamentary Committee, support our claims, and influence the Government of India to come out with an appreciable NEP acceptable to all sections of the Indian Society.
  1. August 20, 2016: Planning Meeting of the Special Committee for re-drafting National Education Policy – 2016 at Panayur
  1. October 15, 2016: Workshop on Catholic Higher Education, Tamilnadu & Pondy Region

A day’s workshop for administrators of Catholic Higher Educational Colleges and Institutes was organized on October 15, 2016 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Chennai. 86 delegates from all over Tamilnadu and Pondy attended it. Most Rev. George Antonysamy, the Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore and the President of Tamilnadu Catholic Educational Association presided over the programme. In his address he applauded the meritorious educational service rendered by our Catholic Colleges & Professional Institutes. He hounoured Stella Maris College (Chennai), Nirmala College (Coimbatore), St. Joseph’s College (Cuddalore) and Sacred Heart College (Dindigul), with “The Pride of the Catholic Church” Certificates and Trophies for earnestly and excellently implementing the National Catholic Education Policy 2007 in their institutions.

Dr. Vishwanathan, the former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, Chennai delivered the key note address in which he advocated strict discipline and research for the survival and success of colleges. Dr. Anup Kupta Gogna from Delhi proposed the need for Co-ordinating indigenous institutes with foreign Universities for international perspective. Mr. John Fernando MBA, from Kochi, Kerala alerted the participants of the imminent disruption to be caused by fast spreading Digitalization. Fr. Dr. Xavier Arulraj exposed the Central Government’s hidden agenda of centralization and saffronization in the proposed New Education Policy – 2016. Prof. Karunanandan, though a non-Christian, pointed out at the missionary aspect of the Christian minority institutions and insisted on the need for co-ordination and joint venture among Catholic Higher Educational Institutions in order to safeguard their rights and to strengthen their integrity.

Mr. Bradley Emerson (Sri Lanka) offered proposals for empowering commerce students. Dr. Sam (USA) spoke about the integration of modern and covetous film-technology in Higher Education. Theatrical atmosphere will enhance better understanding and active participation among students. Category wise discussions took place in the afternoon in which different problems were discussed and the reports were presented during the Valedictory Session.

Fr. I. Ratchagar vouchsafed to the participants the speedy and effective online circulation of organizational matters. Fr. Antony Sebastian the Principal of Christ King College, Kilacheri, synthesized the whole day’s discussions and thanked all resource persons.

  1. November 12 & 13, 2016: Empowerment of the English Teacher

TANCEAN conducted a two-days’ animation programme for the Teachers of the English Language in Tamilnadu and Pondicherry on November 12 & 13, 2016 at Dhyanashram, Chennai. It was attended by 125 teachers.

Topics dealt by:

i)English – a transformative catalyst: Fr.S. Arulappan

ii)Learning curves for the English Teacher: Dr. A. Sebastian Dasan, Sukrodaya, Mysore

iii)Pedagogic techniques in the Digital Age: Prof. Joseph Albert, Palayamkottai

iv)Interactive Role-plays in class rooms: Prof. Nalini Xavier, Tresian College, Mysore

v)Syntax, Structure and logistics of Grammar: Mr. N. Thirunavukkarasu, ELT Trainer, Salem

vi)Teaching of a prescribed Poem - a Demonstration: Dr. A.S. Dasan

vii)Comprehension – CL Method: Mr. Hariharan, ELT Trainer, Salem

viii)The Honour and Responsibility of the English Teacher: Mrs. Joan Elango, Principal, Anita Methodist School, Chennai

During the valedictory Session Most Rev. George Antonysamy, the President of TANCEAN, honoured the following Catholic Schools of excellence (in teaching, Catechism, Moral Science, maintain Catholic atmosphere and academic excellence) by presenting them “The Pride of the Catholic Church” Trophies and merit certificates.

  1. Jayarani Mat.Hr.Sec.School, Nethimedu, Salem – 2
  2. Petit Seminaire Hr.Sec.School, Pondy – 1
  3. Holy Cross A.I.Hr.Sec.School, Tuticorin – 2
  4. St. Mary’s Mat.School, Amalipuram, Thiruvallur 631 207
  5. St. Mary’s Nursery and Primary School, Arisipalayam, Salem-9

This animation programme was deemed to be very didactic, dynamic and very useful to all participants.

  1. January 28, 2017: TNBC‘s ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION POLICY

The Tamilnadu Bishops’ Council (TNBC) on January 28, 2017 at the premises of Church Park Schools amidst an audience of 2200 teachers from Christian schools and colleges in Tamilnadu and Pondicherryreleased the book on Alternative Education Policy. Dr. Felix Wilfred, the former head of the department of Christianity in the University of Madras, Fr.Dr. A. Xavier Arulraj, Mr.D. Raja, the CPI leader, Mr. M.H. Jawahirulla, President of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Trichy Siva, DMK MP and Mr. T.K. Rangarajan, CPM MP were present and shared their views.

Copies of AEP were sent to all Catholic Bishops and MPs in India.

  1. April 22, 2017: Planning Committee Meeting

With special invitees under Most Rev. Thomas Paulsamy, Bishop of Dindigul, Secretary of TNBC, consultation was done on the deplorable condition of Tamil Medium Schools. Ways and means of giving impetus to Tamil Medium Schools were discussed.

Achievements:

1Tamilnadu Region (Tamilnadu & Pondy) was adjudged first in implementing the Indian National Catholic Education Policy – 2006 by the CBCI Office of Education and Culture, Delhi and honoured to Fr.S.Arulappan, the Secretary of the Tamilnadu Catholic Educational Association during a meeting held on September 9, 2016 at Navinta, Okhla, by most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios, the Chairman of the Commission for Education and Bishop of Mavelikkara, Kerala.

2Thanks to the success of TANCEAN’s reaction / agitation / demonstrations it is known all over India for its best organizational structure, timely reaction to problems and catering to the needs of the Catholic Educational Institutions. Other regions in India try to adopt our model.

3The ESI coverage of educational institutions was negated in a final order of the Division Bench.

4The applicability of TET to minority schools was challenged and there were many interim orders to release salary without reference to TET, to those who were appointed after 23.08.2010. On 24.08.2016 the Division Bench of Madras High Court, thanks to the impactful arguments of Fr. Xavier Arulraj, passed the landmark judgement that TET is inapplicable to Minorities.

5The Hon’ble High Court of Madras by its Order dated 22.12.2016, was pleased to quash the order of cancellation of exemption from TDS, for the clergy and the religious, drawing Government Salary in our Educational Institutions. In a detailed order, the High Court has upheld the canonical status of the religious and priests, as being incapable of owning or receiving any income for themselves. On the other hand, it has accepted the canonical position, that whatever they receive is automatically “Diverted” to the Congregation or to the Diocese, because of the character of their religious life. The individual priest / religious need not give any consent for the said “Diversion” of his / her income. The judgment holds that every priest or religious suffers “Civil death”, during his / her profession / Ordination. It is sufficient that the Congregation certifies their religious status, to receive their income, on their behalf. We consider this judgment as recognition by the judiciary of the religious nature of our life and the right of internal management of the Church, especially of the Congregations / Dioceses. The Canon law has been held as the governing personal law for religious life.

6TANCEAN and many of our institutions, and individual non – teaching staff have challenged the non – approval to the appointment of non – teaching staff in our schools. The Hon’ble High Court of Madras by its order dated 17.03.2017, has allowed all the writ petitions, directing the government to accord approval and release salary, irrespective of any category of the non – teaching posts.

7School Bus Cases – Relief – Instead of Quarterly FC – High Court passed an order on 17.03.2017 for Half – yearly FC for School Buses.

8Government’s acceptance to grant recognition to all types the schools through the intercession of TANCEAN.

Concurrence for future:

  1. Promotion of Tamil Medium Schools: Timely impetus to Tamil Medium Schools
  2. Animation prgrammes for Heads of Catholic Institutions, teachers and students.

Vote of Thanks:

TANCEAN is greatly indebted to Most Rev. George Antonysamy, our President, Most Rev. Antony Pappusamy, the President of TNBC, Most Rev. Thomas Paulsamy, the Secretary of TNBC, Most Rev. Soundar Raj, our first vice-president and Sr. Fatima Paula FIHM, our second vice-president, and Bro. Mariannan, TNPCRI–President for their inspirational guidance and unabated patronage. We are thankful to Fr. Xavier Arulraj and his legal team for the invaluable legal assistance rendered to our educational institutions. I thank sincerely all TANCEAN Governing Bodyand General Body members, and Fr. I. Ratchager, the Co-Ordinator of Higher Education for their presence and their active co-operation in all our endeavours. I also thank Mrs. Emeransia Kala Kumar, our Office Clerk and Mr. J.D. Antony, our office Assistant for their meritorious and continuous service to TANCEAN.

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!!

Fr. S. ArulappanMost Rev. George Antonysamy

SecretaryPresident

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