All India Association for Christian Education

All India Association for Christian Higher Education

aims at
RENEWAL AND GROWTH OF
	HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDIA
	through promotion of acadamic excellence,
	value-orientation and social relevance...

National Committee on Study
"Educational and Socio-Economic Status of the Christian Community in India"

Introduction
Out of the Indian population of 1.1 billion, about 19% are religious minority communities, Muslims (13.5%), Christians (2.75%), Sikhs (1.75%), Buddhists (0.75%) and Parsis and others (0.25%) approximately. These minority communities are socially, economically and educationally backward and they have been assured of special protection with educational rights under Article 30 (i) of the Constitution of India. In November 2006, Prime Minister’s High Level Committee headed by Justice Rajinder Sacchar presented a report to the Prime Minister after two years of study on “Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim community in India”. This report is popularly known as Sacchar Committee Report. This report which analysed the socio-economic conditions of the Muslim community in India has been the basis of numerous programmes for education, Madrasa development, provision of employment for Muslims in services and other sectors etc.

A National Committee of eminent social scientists and community leaders has been set up to study the “Educational and Socio-economic Conditions of the Christian community in India”. Details are given below:

1. Title: Study on “Educational and Socio-Economic Conditions
of the Christian Community in India”
2. Objectives:

Educational and Socio-Economic Status of the Christian Community in India

(a) To study the educational and socio-economic status and conditions of Christian community in India, with a view to formulating governmental and non-governmental measures and activities for improving the above said conditions.

(b) To collect the available data of statistics on the above aspects relating to the Christian community and analyzing them in comparison with other communities and the national data.

(c) To formulate action oriented proposals to be submitted to the Government of India, the Planning Commission and to the Churches for implementation.

3. Time Frame:

The Committee’s work should be quick, functional and time bound. The work has begun and it will end by 31st December, 2009.

4. Members
Dr. Mani Jacob (Chairman & General Secretary, AIACHE)

Dr. R.B. Lal (President, AIACHE)
Padmashree Emeritus Prof. Dr. M.V. Pylee (former Vice Chancellor, Cochin University)
Sr. Doris D’Souza (Principal, Patna Women’s College)
Dr. K. Rajaratnam (Master, Serampore College)
Dr. Justus Devadas (President, Spicer Memorial College, Pune)
Dr. Daniel Ezhilarasu (Principal, Voorhees College, Vellore)
Dr. Paul Dhinakaran (Chancellor, Karunya University)
Dr. Tuisem Shishak (former Principal, Patkai Christian College)
Prof. Mathew C. Ninan (Principal, Little Rock Indian School, Brahmavar)
Prof. E.J. John (Senior Deputy Secretary, Orthodox Church, Kottayam)
Dr. J. Oliver (Director, Samanvay, Hyderabad)
Dr. Sunil Sardar (Convenor, Truth Seekers Society International)
Dr. P.S. Jacob (former President, AIACHE)
Mr. Herod Mullick (West Bengal State Secretary, Bangiya Christeeya Parishad)
Dr. Aswini Kumar (Roorkee Pharmacy College)
Rev. K. LungMuana (Mozoram)
Fr. Kuriala (Secretary, CBCI Commission for Education & Culture)
Rt. Rev. D.K. Sahu (General Secretary, NCCI)
Prof. Newman Fernandes (Joint Secretary, AIACHE)
Prof. G.M. Ram (Joint Secretary, AIACHE & Member Secretary)

5. Terms of Reference, Procedures and Mode of Action

i) The Committee will make use of the available information in the Census report, National Sample Survey Organization, Minorities’ Commission, academic bodies, Church reports and other documents obtainable in various states. Data will be collected with the help of questionnaires and personal discussions with religious leaders, intellectuals, women leaders, government officials etc. The task will be accomplished with the help of Church leaders of various denominations, heads of educational institutions at different levels and Christian NGOs. The coordination work will be done by AIACHE office.

ii) Specific questions to be addressed

• In which regions, states and districts most of the Christians live.
• The asset base and income-level of Christian groups
• Educational levels, drop-out, Infant Mortality Rate, Maternal Mortality Rate, comparison of these factors with other communities
• Number of educational institutions from pre-primary level to university level, established and administered by Christian community
• Problems related to exercise of Constitutional Article 30(i) regarding educational rights
• Employment profile of Christians.
• Matters related to Dalit, Tribal and OBC Christians
• Levels of political participation and leadership
• Contribution of Christians to culture, art, literature etc.
• Analysis of needs and requirements of Christians in various regions and states in terms of education, employment, entrepreneurship, political participation and other fields.
• Actions required from the Government of India, State Governments, Churches, NGOs and individuals.

6. Preparation of the Report

Within the span of one year, the Committee will prepare the report and submit to it various Churches for examination and approval. Thereafter the report will be presented to the Government of India.

7. Coordination with the Churches

From the very beginning AIACHE and the Committee will keep in touch with all the Churches and Church agencies and work with their full cooperation.

8. Coordination

The work will be accomplished as an activity of the AIACHE unit of All India Academy for Minorities’ Education and under the over all guidance of the Executive Board of AIACHE.

Dr. Mani Jacob
General Secretary, AIACHE

26.3.2008
New Delhi