The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : "Parents, teachers must foster secularism"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 13, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

"Parents, teachers must foster secularism"

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: Parents and teachers should not take their "eyes off the idea of secularism" in schools, said N. Ram, Editor-in-chief of The Hindu, at the annual day of Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School on Saturday.

Referring to the rise in terrorism he said the "violence we see in our society today is a big challenge for India," which had welcomed contributions from "various streams of people to the glorious civilisation." The school had maintained its secular fabric despite being Christian, he said.

An alumnus of the school, Mr. Ram recalled that in his days parents did not have a role to play in how a student shaped up in school. These days the education system was more democratic, allowing parents more freedom and participation in the working of the school and meeting the educational needs of students. Parents must be responsive in the development of the school.

He gave away awards to the toppers in academics, sports and to NCC cadets. He paid rich tributes to his alma mater and recalled the services of educationist Kuruvilla Jacob. The students should live up to the reputation built by him, Mr. Ram said and noted that the school's old boys' association could do much more for the development of the school.

G.J. Manohar, headmaster and correspondent, and V.J. Philip, principal of MCC, spoke. N. Gopalakrishnan of class X B won 13 prizes.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu