Christian Contribution To Higher Education

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

In recent times the All India Association of Christian Higher Education brought all the Christian institutions of higher learning under one umbrella. The late Dr. Mani Jacob, the General Secretary of this association in his introduction to the Directory of Church-related Colleges in India said “The Church-related colleges existing and operating in India today are the inheritors, preservers and developers of a great historic tradition of higher learning. Christian missionaries were the pioneers in introducing modern higher education in India. The superstructure of Christian higher education was constructed on strong missionary foundations, by the Christian community of India using indigenous resources – human, intellectual, material and financial – with the support and cooperation of people of different faiths living together in the pluralistic environment of

While the average literacy of the country remained at 52%, the states with significant Christian population have much higher rates. Kerala with 21% and Goa with 29% Christians are the only states that achieved hundred per cent literacy. The next rank in literacy is occupied by the state of Mizoram which is predominantly a Christian state. The Christian Community in India has not only educated a large population, it has also inspired the other communities to run schools and colleges following the patterns of Christian institutions.

History of Christian higher education in India is a story fraught with struggles, challenges, oppositions and swimming against currents but, all along the Christian College in India has been an indelible symbol of inspiration and expression for compassion in the field of higher education. Today, there are over 300 institutions of higher learning including many engineering colleges, para medical colleges, medical colleges and also a deemed