Christian Education Contribution

The contribution of the Christian community to higher education in India is truly noteworthy. From a historical perspective it may be noted that the first Christian institution of higher learning in India, named CMS College was established in the year 1818, in Kottayam, Kerala State, in South India. In the year 1819 at Serampore near Calcutta, a higher educational institution was established modelled on the European Universities. It is worth mentioning that in the 19th century, the Christian Missions contributed in a commendable way to the expansion of English higher education. Their contribution was an asset to the British Government and the native endeavours in the field of education. The missionaries provided remarkable and priceless service

The higher education provided by the missionaries created an educated leadership in the church, society and the government. The Missionaries also believed that education always flowed down to the masses from upper levels. If the upper classes of the society were educated, they would in turn spread education among the masses, which would enhance evangelization. Consequently, it expanded the horizon of knowledge to all. The techniques they employ, the ethics they propagate, the perseverance they embody, the beliefs they uphold, the privations they undergo, and primarily their love and compassion for the people continue to be a source of motivation even in contemporary

Accordingly, in the 19th century Christian colleges fashioned a cohort of exceptional Indian intellectuals from both Christian and other communities. The Christian missionaries envisaged education as God’s work and eagerly employed it as the instrument of social change. Women’s liberation and upliftment through education was one of the major responsibilities of early Christians in India. It was only because the Christians established schools that admitted girls; many Indian women were inspired to step out of their domestic households and saw the rays of enlightenment. In a country where women are yet to get emancipation, it is heartening to note that the first women’s college was established (Isabella Thoburn College, Uttar Pradesh) as early as in 1886 to be followed by the establishment of the second college exclusively for women (Sarah Tucker College, Tamilnadu) in 1895. There were 25 colleges managed by the Church at the end of the 19th century. According to the data published by AIACHE today we have 27 colleges that have completed 100 years, 20 colleges that have completed 75 – 100 years and 39 colleges that completed 50 – 75 years. When India got independence in 1947, out of the 450 colleges in the country, 66 were Christian