THE INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
ON
EDUCATION AT CROSSROADS: TILTING SOCIAL EQUATIONS
&
XV ANNUAL CONVENTION OF CTE, KERALA STATE CENTRE
The International Seminar on
‘Education at Crossroads: Tilting Social Equations’ (educ@tse-17) and XV Annual
Convention of CTE, Kerala State Centre organized by St.Thomas Training College
in collaboration with State Resource Centre(SRC),Kerala, the Commonwealth
Council for Educational Administration and Management (CCEAM), Kerala Chapter,
Association of Educational Researchers of Indian Origin (AIRIO), Kerala Chapter
and Vijnan International Foundation for Education (VIFE) commenced on Thursday
02 February 2017.
The inaugural function held in the
Auditorium was anchored by Dr.Nisha Chandran who welcomed the delegates from
different parts of the country in both English and Hindi. The College Choir
sang the College Anthem and Rev.Pramod Mathew Thomas (Chaplain, St.Thomas Group
of Institutions) offered prayers and read out the Blessing Speech of
Rt.Rev.Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa (President, Mar Thoma Church Educational
Society). The speech of His Lordship
echoed his earnest desire and prayers that the Seminar will help the
participant teachers to acquire qualities of a real Guru.
The invited guests and delegates
were welcomed by Dr.Anila Chacko, Principal, St.Thomas Training College. The guests who attended the inaugural
function were traditionally welcomed by adorning them with the Kerala style
Silk garment (the Ponnada) and with a bouquet.
They include Mr.T.P.Sreenivasan, Former Indian Ambassador and Former
Vice Chairman & Executive Head of the Kerala State Higher Education Council
and Prof.(Dr.) A.Sukumaran Nair, Former Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi
University.
In his Presidential Address,
Dr.C.P.Sreekantan Nair, (Chairman, CTE, Kerala State Centre), lamented the
current social scenario in India and opined that teachers have failed in their
duty to instill proper values in students.
It is a pity he said that we are being led by ‘intellectual dwarfs’ and
‘academic pygmies’ leading to the fall in educational standards. Dr.Nair expressed his hope that Seminars of
this kind will help improve teacher education in the State.
Amb(Rtd).T.P.Sreenivasan who
inaugurated the Seminar by lighting the traditional lamp commenced his address
with a note of caution. ‘Education today is the most dangerous thing
to talk about’. He pointed out that
during his tenure as Vice Chairman of the Higher Educational Council of the
State, he had an opportunity to study the educational system in the country and
realized that several commissions of Education and great men from Swami
Vivekananda to Sam Pitroda have spoken about strategies and solutions for
addressing the educational problems, but pitifully enough we fail to pursue the
ideas suggested. It is as if we have
diagnosed the patient, prescribed the medicine but fail to administer the medicine.
In the inaugural address, Mr.Sreenivasan
also made a reference to the Budget speech made in Parliament by the Finance
Minister the previous day and expressed his open support for the educational
policy of the Central Government. He
pointed out that autonomous educational institutions though few in number is needed to improve the
standard of education but in Kerala State it is perceived as unsuitable. The use of technology for educational
purposes, the change of the University Grants Commission from a funding agency
to a real Education Commission, the pursuit of Educational Research, the
equipping of children to meet the demands of 21st century are things
that should happen if educational standards are to improve in the country. Mr.Sreenivasan was rather saddened by the
fact that Higher Education in the State is politicized. A new mind set is essential without which
Seminars of this kind cannot make real change.
Following the Inaugural Speech,
Mr.Sreenivasan was presented with a Memento by Dr.C.P.Sreekantan Nair.
Dr.Sukumaran Nair, the former Vice
Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University in his Keynote Address recalled the
long educational tradition in India with world class Universities centuries
ago. We have had great teachers like Dr.Radhakrishnan and several Commissions
of Education have advocated the changes to be implemented in India, but sadly
enough education has failed to progress along proper channels resulting in our
Universities maintaining a low level in world ranking. It is a pity that though new ideas have been
suggested in education, what we see is the strengthening of outmoded
educational practices. Dr.Sukumaran Nair
concluded his speech by pointing out that we should move from peripheral levels
to deeper levels and force quality into educational practices whereby knowledge
will be created. Such meaningful
implementation, Dr.Sukumaran Nair opined has to be followed up by Social
Auditing. Following the Keynote Address
Dr.Rajan Varghese, Secretary, Mar Thoma Church Educational Society presented a
Memento to Dr.Sukumaran Nair.
The Dr.N.P.Pillai Memorial Lecture
was delivered by Mr.A.Prabhakaran (Former Director, SIET, Govt.of Kerala). During the lecture, Mr.Prabhakaran recalled
the unique contributions made by Dr.N.P.Pillai in the field of education. These included the launch of a Correspondence
Course for teachers making use of the service of the All India Radio and
Research on the Educational ideas of Mahatma Gandhi.
Following the lecture, Dr.Bindu R.L(Secretary,
Council for Teacher Education), announced the names of the winners of the
awards instituted by CTE. The award
winners include:
·
Prof.V.Reghu,
winner of Dr.Sivadasan Pillai Memorial Award for Academic Excellence and a Cash
prize of Rs.10,000/-. The Citation was
read out by Dr.K.Rajeswari, Treasurer of CTE.
·
Dr.Jaya
Jaise, Winner of Dr.K.Soman Memorial Award for the Teacher Educator of the Year
and Cash prize of Rs.2000/-.
·
N.S.S
Training College Pandalam, Winner of Dr.N.D.Joshi Memorial Award for
Institutional Excellence.
·
Mr.Kesava
Potti, Winner of Best Teacher Educator at D.Ed Level and a Cash prize of
Rs.1000/-.
·
Mr.Vinod
S, Winner of Sri.K.M.Jacob & Smt.Mary Jacob Ever Rolling Trophy for B.Ed
Rank Holder, University of Kerala and Cash prize of Rs.1000/-.
·
Dr.Rajeswari.K,
Winner of Innovative Teacher Educator Award, University of Kerala, and a Cash
prize of Rs.2000/-.
·
Dr.T.C.Thankachan,
Winner of the Most Committed Teacher Educator for Extension Work and a Cash
prize of Rs.2000/-.
The Winners of the
Awards in memory of Dr.N.P.Pillai for securing highest marks in B.Ed and M.Ed
include:
§ Ms.Gayathri, Ms.Kavya, Ms.Sreekuttty
and Ms.Reshmi.
§ Ms.Gayathri also received the
Prof.M.A Thankamma Memorial Award
§ Dr.Geetha Gopinath won the Award for
International Publication.
§ Dr.R.Binoy, Govt.College of Physical
Education, won the Award for Administraion and Management.
§ Dr.Nimmi Maria Oommen won the Award
for Talented Writer in Education
Felicitation for the Seminar were offered by
Prof.(Dr.)K.Aiyyappan Nair, Dr.Rajan Varghese, Mr.Mathew John and Prof.Hemalatha
Talesra.
The Inaugural Session concluded with the
expression of gratitude by Dr.Bindu R.L (General Secretary, CTE, Kerala State
Centre) to the guests, organizers and participants of the Seminar.
After the lunch break the members of
CTE assembled in the Auditorium for a Business Session which included
presenting the Report of CTE, presentation of Account Statement by Treasurer
and Nomination of Members to various posts of CTE.
Following the Business Session,
Dr.A.Abraham, Master Practitioner, Mind Masters, Neuro Linguistic Programme
delivered a talk on Neuro Linguistic Programming – Teaching and Learning. In his talk, Dr.Abraham sensitized teachers
the need for familiarizing themselves with learning styles, learning
preferences, learner attitude and the necessity of adjusting and adapting ones
own teaching to suit individual learner need.
The importance of providing activities for brain gymnastics and states
of mind that affect learning was also referred to in his talk.
The surprise visit of Bishop
Rt.Rev.Joseph Mar Thomas , Bishop of Sultan Bathery was indeed a morale
booster. His Lordship appreciated the
efforts undertaken by the College.
Bishop rightly pointed out that the disturbed social and education scenario
necessitated the need for deliberation on the focal theme of the Seminar-‘Education
at Crossroads: Tilting Social Equations’.
The soothing and appreciating remarks by His Lordship energized us to
move on with still greater vigour:
Soon after, Paper Presentation
commenced in four Parallel Sessions, chaired by the following Panellists.
1.
Dr.Rajeswari.K,
Assoc.Prof.Government College of Teacher Education, Tvpm
2.
Dr.Issac
Paul, Asst.Prof.Government College of Teacher Education, Tvpm.
3.
Dr.Bindu
R.L, Assoc.Prof.Department of Education, Tvpm
4.
Dr.Lidson
Raj, Asst.Prof.M.Ed Department , Government College of Teacher Education, Tvpm
5.
Dr.M.S
Geetha, Former Principal, Government College of Teacher Education, Tvpm &
Former Dean, Faculty of Education, Tvpm.
6.
Dr.Nimmi
Maria Oommen, Asst.Prof.Titus II Teachers College, Tiruvalla.
7.
Dr.Jaya
Jaise, Director, School of Pedagogical Sciences, M.G.Universtiy, Kottayam
8.
Dr.K.Y.Benedict,
Principal, Mar Theophilus Training College, Tvpm
The Session came to an end by 5pm.
Cultural Programmes commenced by
5.30pm comprising the myriad hues of Kerala tradition captured the mind and
hearts of the audience. The Programme
was the end product of continuous effort of student teachers from the College. The students of the College have been well
assisted with moral support of the faculty Ms.Helen Hepsy R.C, Convenor of
Cultural Programmes.
Report
Day 2
The
Second day’s (Friday 03 February) programme commenced once again with Paper
Presentations in four different venues.
The Panellists for the Sessions were:
1.
Dr.G.Valsala, Principal, B.N.V College of Teacher
Edcuation, Tvpm
2.
Dr.M.Vijayakumari Amma, Principal, KUCTE, Kumarapuram,
Tvpm
3.
Dr.Ajitha Nayar.K, Academic Advisor, IIITMK, Technopark,
Tvpm
4.
Dr.Laly.S
5.
Dr.Muhammed Shafeek, Asst.Prof.Government College of
Teacher Education, Tvpm
6.
Dr.Joju John, Asst.Prof,Mar Theophilus Training
College, Tvpm
7.
Dr.Rachel George.M, Asst.Prof.St.Joseph College of
Teacher Education for Women, Ernakulam.
8.
Dr.K.P.Anilkumar, Principal, SAM College of Education,
Poothotta, Ernakulam.
The
Theme Presentation of the day commenced at 10.30am. Dr.D.Babu Babu Paul IAS(Rtd), Former Chief
Secretary, Govt.of Kerala delivered a talk on the theme ‘Teacher as a
Mentor’. The Resource Person was
introduced to the audience by Dr.Nisha Chandran, the Seminar Co-ordinator. Dr.Paul began his talk recalling the special
role once teachers namely that of a worker of God, but today this has been
replaced by the birth of teachers who like industrial workers fight for their
rights. Teachers rarely become an
experienced and trusted advisor and guide.
Dr.Paul
pointed out that as a mentor, the teacher has several roles to play. Identify special skill of each child, help
them choose an appropriate career, help children find a worthy purpose in life
and also help them acquire the skills necessary to achieve that purpose. More importantly teachers have to help
learners imbibe an appropriate value system.
Given the fact that we live in a knowledge society, the changed role of
a teacher as mentor would be: Guiding children how to unlearn and how to
re-learn and for this, in the modern age technological resources can come to
the aid. It is only when a teacher
becomes a mentor he will be performing his real role and will be remembered
with gratitude by one’s own students.
Dr.K.Y.Benedict,
Principal, Mar Theophilus Training College, Tvpm thanked Dr.Babu Paul and
Dr.P.J.Jacob, Dean of Education, University of Kerala presented a Memento to
the Resource Person. Following the theme
presentation, Paper Presentations again commenced in four venues. The Panellists for the Sessions were:
1.
Dr.Asha J.V Asst.Prof. Dept. of Education, Tvpm
2.
Dr.V.K Sobha, Asst.Prof.Government College of Teacher
Education, Tvpm
3.
Dr.B.H Helen Joy, Principal, Government College of
Teacher Education, Tvpm
4.
Dr.Geetha Janet Vitus, Assoc.Prof. Dept. of Education,
Tvpm
5.
Dr.C.Praveen, Assoc.Prof.Government College of Teacher
Education, Tvpm
6.
Dr.Indu Kothari, Asst.Prof. College of Education,
Udaipur
7.
Dr.Sam V.Daniel, Assoc.Prof. Mount Tabor Training
College, Pathanapuram
8.
Dr.Sajith C.Raj, Principal, C.S.I College of Teacher
Education, Parasala
Following Lunch Break, Competition Session of the Paper Presentation
commenced, the Panellists for the Session were:
1.
Prof.Dr.K.Aiyappan Nair, Emeritus Prof.Edinburgh
University, USA
2.
Dr.Neelu G.Ghosh, Prof.in Education, M.Ed College,
Vadu, Gujarat
3.
Dr.Vijaya Murthy
Report
Day 3
The Third
Day’s (Saturday 04 February 2017) programme commenced with Paper Presentation
in different venues.
The Panellists were
1.
Dr.Malini P.M, Assoc.Prof.N.S.S Training College,
Pandalam
2.
Dr.Maya.S, Assoc.Prof. Mar Theophilus Training
College, Tvpm
3.
Dr.T.K.Mathew, Principal, Titus II Teachers College,
Tiruvalla
4.
Dr.Rani.B, Assoc.Prof.Sree Narayana Training College,
Nedumganda
5.
Dr.Sreeraj K.G, Asst.Prof.MGUCTE, Elanthoor,
Pathanamthitta
6.
Dr.Anju.I , Asst.Prof.Govt. College of Teacher
Education,Tvpm
7.
Dr.Gibi Geevarghese, Assoc.Prof.Mar Theophilus
Training College, Tvpm
8.
Dr.K.Anvar, Principal, MGUCTE, Nedumkandam,Alappuzha
9.
Dr.Smitha.S, Asst.Prof.Sree Narayana Training College,
Nedumganda
10.
Dr.Sheeba.P, Assoc.Prof.Sree Narayana Training
College, Nedumganda
The
Theme Presentation for the day commenced at 10.15am. Dr.Achuthsankar S.Nair,
Prof.&Head of Bioinformatics was the invited speaker. Ms.Seema Karthikeyan, Asst.Prof.St.Thomas
Training College welcomed the speaker and Dr.T.K.Mathew, Principal, Titus II
College of Education, adorned the eminent speaker with the Silk Shawl
(Ponnada). Dr.Sankar’s talk focused on
‘Teaching in the Google Age’. He began
his talk by pointing out that teaching and learning have become very exciting
with the growth of technology. This is particularly evident in the teaching of
Mathematics which students in schools usually approach with a sense of fear.The
multitasking habit of children today and the reduced attention span, Dr.Sankar
said can to a large extend be addressed through modern learning gadgets
including the Smart Phone. Dr.Sankar
concluded by mentioning the use of technology which has become the prime
parameter for teaching in the Google Age.
Dr.K.Y.Benedict,
Principal, Mar Theophilus Training College presented a Memento to Dr.Sankar and
Dr.G.Valsala , Principal, BNV College of Education, thanked the speaker. Paper Presentations continued immediately in
four Parallel Venues.
The
Vadedictory Session was chaired by Dr.Kuncheria P.Issac (Vice-Chancellor,
Dr.A.P Abdul Kalam Technological University). The Guest of Honour was warmly
welcomed by Prof.K.Jacob Mathew (Former Principal, Govt.College of Teacher
Education). The Resume for the Three Day
Seminar was read out by Dr.Nisha Chandran (Asst.Prof.St.Thomas Training College). Thereafter lighting the lamp and Valedictory Address
by the Guest marked the Curtain Raiser for the Session. Dr.Kuncheria P.Issac in his message stated
that Qualitative improvements adopted in Education should be well co-ordinated
and orchestrated with the existing system to reap the expected desirable
results. The prime responsibility in
this regard is bestowed upon the teacher educators to mould and materialize
policies to practice. The venture was
aptly extended commendations by Dr.George Varghese( Emeritus Scientist, KSCSTE),
Dr.M.S.Geetha(Vice-Chairperson, AIRIO), Dr.T.K.Mathew (Principal, Titus II
Teachers College, Tiruvalla), the Principals of four Sister Concerns - Dr.Usha
Thomas(Principal, St.Thomas Institute of Science and Technology), Mr.Rajan
K.Varughese(Principal, St.Thomas Residential School), Mr.Sebastian.T.Joseph(Principal,
St.Thomas Central School) and Mrs.Annamma Cherian( Principal, St.Thomas Higher
Secondary School). All the teaching and Non-teaching faculty were honoured with
the Silk Shawl by CTE. Being the Queen
Bee is not an easy task, on behalf of the staff of St.Thomas Training College, Dr.Nisha Chandran,
Faculty STTC, requested the students and staff of the College to extend a
standing ovation for the sustained hardwork, commitment and dedicated effort
invested by the Principal which culminated in a fruitful and productive
academic forum of three days. The
Principal extended her formal words of gratitude to each and every person who
made the initiative a successful reality.
The professional exercise was well attended by approximately 350
delegates marking successful stakeholder participation.
In
the true spirit of a Patriotic Indian the audience paid their homage to the
Nation with the National Anthem, bringing down the curtain to be raised on yet
another platform with still greater vitality and vigour.
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