Goa: Catholic education leaders from across India came together at the 56th National Convention of the All India Association of Catholic Schools (AINACS), held at the Park Regis Convention Centre, Arpora, Goa, to deliberate on the future of Catholic education and the need for stronger collaboration among all educational stakeholders. The theme of the convention centered on “Stakeholder Management,” bringing together principals, educators, clergy, and policymakers to explore strategies for holistic and inclusive education.
Dr. Joseph Emmanuel, Chief Executive and Secretary of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), New Delhi, emphasized that the child remains the most vital stakeholder in any educational institution.
“Every child is unique, and schools must recognize this individuality by maintaining a close relationship with both the child and their family,” he said, stressing that counselling is a must in every school environment.
He noted that education must go beyond rote learning to foster resilience, adaptability, and analytical skills. “Our goal is not to prepare children merely for exams, but for life itself,” he stated. Dr. Emmanuel also addressed the challenges faced by school leaders in uniting diverse stakeholders including parents, society, and regulatory bodies under a shared vision. “No reform is possible without taking parents into confidence,” he cautioned, pointing out that many parents still view success solely in terms of marks.
He also welcomed the New Education Policy’s focus on experiential and activity-based learning but urged greater emphasis on social-emotional development, career guidance, and holistic education.
Fr. Viju CMI, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Christ University, Bengaluru, addressed the evolving educational landscape shaped by technology and generational shifts. “Today’s school children belong to Gen Alpha they are digital natives. We are not,” he observed, highlighting the need for technology-integrated and interactive learning models.
He described teachers as the “backbone stakeholders” of education and called for trust-based governance that fosters professional autonomy and respect. He further encouraged active collaboration between parents, teachers, and student councils to build dynamic learning communities.
“Students have immense entrepreneurial and creative potential,” Fr. Viju said, recommending that schools empower students through clubs, innovation cells, and real-world projects that nurture leadership and problem-solving abilities.
Touching on workplace ethics, he also emphasized the well-being of non-teaching staff, stating, “When support staff are treated with dignity and fairness, it positively impacts the entire learning environment.”
Addressing systemic inequities, Fr. Dr. A. Sahaya Philominraj SJ, Director of IDEAS, Madurai, offered a critical reflection on the trajectory of Indian education since the 1991 liberalization. “With only three percent of GDP allocated to education, a vast majority of children in this country remain excluded from quality schooling,” he lamented.
Drawing a stark comparison, he likened the education system to India’s railways: “Only those who can afford the express trains reach their destinations, while the poor are left behind on the platforms.” He voiced concern over the New Education Policy, calling it exclusionary and detrimental to marginalized communities, and warned that “the Church’s education mission is slowly withering away.”
Reaffirming the Catholic vision of inclusive and transformative education, Fr. Philominraj underscored the Church’s duty to uplift the poor and marginalised, particularly Dalit women and sanitary workers. “If our education does not touch the lives of the poor, it loses its Gospel meaning,” he stated.
The AINACS panel concluded with a collective call for stronger collaboration among all educational stakeholders students, teachers, parents, and support staff to reimagine schools as communities of care, creativity, and conscience.
The speakers agreed that Catholic education must continue to stand as a beacon of equity, compassion, and social transformation, forming citizens who are not only intellectually competent but also morally grounded and socially engaged.
“Where all stakeholders work together,” said Fr. Viju, “education ceases to be a transaction it becomes a mission.”