Section 1: Preamble

The St. Aloysius’ College, Edathua, Kerala has volunteered to be assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore. It prepared and submitted an institutional self-study report for the purpose. NAAC constituted a Peer Team to visit the college and validate the self-study report. The Peer Team comprised Dr.Harbhajan Singh Soch, Vice-Chancellor of the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, as Chairman, Dr. Sarala Krishnamurthy, Reader, Department of English, Bangalore University, Bangalore and Dr. Anne Mary Fernandez, Department of Economics, Holy Cross College(Autonomous), Tiruchchirappalli, as members. The team visited St. Aloysius’ College, Edathua, Kerala between December 13 and 15th, 1999. Dr. Latha Pillai, Deputy Adviser, NAAC and Mr. B.S. Ponmudiraj, Academic Professional, NAAC, ably coordinated the work of the Peer Team during its visit to the college.

St. Aloysius’ College, Edathua, Kerala was established in 1965. It is a minority college owned and managed by the parish of St. George Forane Church. It aims at imparting sound moral training and secular education to students, both men and women. The college has a spacious 25 acre campus set in sylvan surroundings amidst the scenic backdrop of the waterlogged rice fields of rural Kuttanad. This is the only college for the people of Kuttanadu, who happen to be both economically and educationally backward. The college, located in the district of Alapuzha, is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. It offers pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in arts, science and commerce faculties. The college has at present 9 departments of study, offering 8 academic programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. There are 80 faculty members, 46 non-teaching staff members and 646 students. It has undertaken the self-study and aspires to be assessed and accredited by NAAC in order to improve the quality of education imparted by it in order to meet the challenges of the new millennium.

The Peer Team analysed the self-study report submitted by the college. During the three day visit to the college, the Peer Team went through all the pertinent documents, visited the departments and the facilities– academic, co-curricular, sports and extension activities of the college. The Peer Team interacted with the Managing Body, principal, faculty, non-teaching staff, and representatives of the students, parents and alumni of the college. Based on the above exercise, the Peer Team has given its objective assessment in the ensuing pages, keeping in mind the criteria identified by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

Section 2: Criterion-wise Analysis

Criterion I: Curricular Aspects

The college is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University of Kottayam. As such it follows the syllabi offered by the university for all its courses of study. At the degree level the curriculum allows the students to choose any one combination out of four offered for a B.Sc. degree. The subjects offered are mathematics, physics, chemistry and zoology. The college has recently started a vocational course in aquaculture for the B.Sc. zoology students, which is in response to the local and regional needs of kerala state which has a long coast-line. For the B.A. degree the college offers one set of subject combinations, with a provision to major in economics. The Faculty of Commerce provides a degree programme each at the undergraduate and the postgraduate levels. The Faculty of Science offers a course in M.Sc. mathematics and a course in M.Sc. physics with specialisation in electronics is to be started in a month’s time.

The college offers cost-sharing, part-time certificate courses in electronic equipment maintenance, data entry operations, tailoring, typewriting and spoken English which run parallel to the undergraduate programmes. The curriculum offers certain in-built choices and specialisation for the students. In addition there are prepared modules that would inculcate in students moral, ethical and spiritual values.

Some of the members of the faculty are actively involved in the university’s curriculum reform process. The faculty also keeps itself abreast with changes in curriculum through workshops, refresher courses and seminars conducted by the university and other organisations from time to time. The Peer Team while interacting with the members of the faculty could easily perceive that teachers were keen on bringing about changes in the curriculum. Some departments have visualised new vocational courses to be incorporated as part of their future plans.

The curriculum change attempted by the college accommodates local needs besides seeking to equip students with vocational skills. The motivation of teachers, being favorable, the college may attempt a more systematic and corporate review and reform of the curriculum which may thus be made more responsive to student need besides matching the goals of the college.

Criterion II: Teaching, Learning and Evaluation

Teaching, Learning and Evaluation are reviewed through comprehensive planning and rigorous efforts made by the Staff Council which meets regularly and accordingly chalks the action plan. Soon after the first test, the parents are invited to an open house session to discuss the performance of their wards. Subsequently departments offer remedial and coaching programmes for slow learners. The teachers participate actively in improving the academic climate of the college by conducting regular internal assessment tests and monitoring students’ progress through the system of class teacher-ship and through regular academic counselling. The teachers participate actively in all curricular, co-curricular and extension activities. They reach out to society through different programmes. It is heartening to note that the college obtains a regular student feedback on teacher performance in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning and also evaluation procedures. It is primarily done through a structured check-list based on eleven parameters on a five point scale. The college has scope to improve its result profile at the university level and they plan to achieve this by switching from traditional teaching techniques to learner centered methodologies.

The recruitment of staff is strictly based on merit and the Management follows the directions and guidelines issued from time to time by the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and the state government.

Remedial teaching, co-operative endeavour between parents and the college to review student performance, student assessment of teacher performance and adoption of “learner-centered” methodologies are salient features which will benefit the learner. These however are contingent on how effective and competent the teachers are to deliver these goods. An assessment of quality evident in product and performance can only be complete if the teacher profile is completely projected. A more structure and systematic appraisal of teacher performance and an over view of the impact on the life of the stake holder could never made this section more complete.

Criterion III: Research, Consultancy and Extension

The college has 11 M.Phil.s and a Ph.D. Further, 8 have registered for research degrees and 10 teachers have got permission under the Faculty Improvement Programme (FIP) of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to pursue their research work. The Management and the Principal are keen on promoting the research culture in the college and have assured every support to the teachers under the existing rules. The Department of Commerce has an on going research project and is actively involved in publications. By and large research is confined to the project work undertaken by postgraduate students in the departments of mathematics and commerce.

The college does not have any formal policy on consultancy. However, staff in the commerce department are involved in providing free consultancy to various organisations, institutions and other persons seeking advice. Being the only college of its kind in the economically and educationally backward area of Kuttanad the college has enormous scope for providing consultancy in various areas like agriculture, fisheries, peoples planning, industrial development, etc.

The college has well planned and focused extension activities which aim at inculcating social concern and awareness among students. A wide range of activities like community development, social work, health and hygiene, medical camp, adult education, literacy and AIDS awareness are conducted regularly by the college through its various clubs, and organisations. These activities reflect the goal of the college to promote an equitable and just society through peaceful means. Aloysian Education Extension Programme (ALEEP) undertakes educational extension work to create awareness on drug addiction, time management, media, etc. for students of nearby secondary schools and high schools.

The performance in research is this. The nexus between teaching and research is not perceptible. But for two departments the performance needs to be more beneficial to students and teachers.

Networking of neighborhood with extension activities with an academic – social interface will give students an intellectual handling of social problems besides an exposure to the realities of one’s surroundings. The college’s response to research and consultancy is by and large conventional and needs sharp-focus, diversified planning and learner-centred benefits in the acquisition of both knowledge and skills.

Criterion IV: Infrastructure and Learning Resources

The beautiful, spacious 25 acre campus set in a calm environment provides an ideal atmosphere for the pursuit of knowledge and higher education. There are many spacious classrooms, laboratories, library, canteen, playgrounds and a vehicle-parking shed. The infrastructure is well maintained by the college wherein some help comes forward from the Parent Teachers Association (PTA).

The college library houses 19398 books and 40 periodicals and journals. A photocopier, TV and VCR are available in the library. The library functions on all weekdays except Sundays and national holidays. The college has already started a book bank and contemplates computerisation of the library. The Department of English(with the help of a German concern) has taken great pains to establish a modern language laboratory. The students are very appreciative of this laboratory which improves their language skills.

A centralised computer facility equipped with 8 terminals and, access to internet and E-mail is available on campus. The departments of mathematics, commerce and physics have computers installed in their own premises. The college has plans to start additional self-financing diplomas and certificate courses by the computer centre for the faculty, staff and students of the college.

The sports facilities available on the campus are adequate for promoting sports. Water sports needs special mention because of laurels won at the university, inter-university, state and national level competitions.

The co-operative and credit societies are bodies that cater for needs of student and staff welfare on the campus. The Management intends utilising the existing infrastructure more optimally by starting vocational, job-oriented, diploma and certificate courses for students and public after regular class hours.

The infrastructure seems to be adequate to meet present needs. How well and how frequently the infrastructure is used by faculty and students to make an impact on the life and work of this college is necessary to know in order to validate the performance of infrastructure. A master plan together with a projection for the next 5 or 10 years may help to understand the comprehensiveness of the vision of the institution.

Criterion V: Student Support and Progression

Several prizes, trophies and cash awards have been instituted for top scorers in various disciplines as an incentive to promote academic excellence. Financial assistance is provided for needy students through the KPCR scheme, fisherman scholarships, SC/ST stipend, AIACHE scholarships and other organisations like the PTA and Vincent de Paul Society. The Women Cell looks into the problems of women students. The travel assistance cell helps students to undertake study tours. Sports scholarships and incentive schemes like cash awards instituted by PTA, fee concessions, etc. encourage students to excel in sports.

The career and personal counselling courses help to guide the students effectively in their pursuit for jobs and higher studies. Several organisations, clubs, fora and associations promote the all round development of the student through co-curricular activities like debates, quizzes, group discussions, exhibitions and other cultural talent competitions. The division of the entire student community into five associations encourages greater participation and the spirit of competition amidst the students.

The NCC army wing, the NCC navy wing and the NSS have brought laurels to the college. There is a college union, the members of which are elected through a democratic process. The moral instruction division in the college concerns itself with value education and inculcates in the students moral values and upholds good citizenship.

There is a 3-tier grievance redressal mechanism to look into the grievances of both staff and students. It is commendable that work in the college has not in the recent years been stalled by strikes and protests. The Alumni Association is actively involved in conducting cultural programmes and competitions for outgoing students. It also collects feedback for improving the quality of services provided by the college to its students.

There is a well-organised system of obtaining feedback from students about different aspects of college life. Similar feedback can be obtained from parents, peers, employers and benefactors so as to facilitate perspective planning for the college’s future growth. The college believes in a holistic development of student personality. In the opinion of the Peer Team the Management takes sufficient interest to realize this objective.

The facilities made available for student progression in academics, sports, careers and holistic development are commendable. The college can do better by promoting student self-confidence and self-reliance by creating appropriate incentives. However, the result profile is not satisfactory.

Criterion VI: Organisation and Management

St. Aloysius’ College, Edathua is owned and managed by the Parish of St. George Forane Church. The Principal is the Chief Officer of the college and he discharges his duties in consonance with the policies and guidelines formulated by the Managing Body. The Principal is assisted by the Staff Council, which advises him on all internal matters concerning the college. The Heads of Departments co-ordinate the activities of their respective departments and are in-charge of monitoring both curricular and co-curricular activities. Members of the faculty are placed on various committees that take care of day-to-day activities of the college. Financial matters are centralized and the Management caters for the needs of the departments.

The college’s financial affairs are subjected to both internal and external audit. The college has a surplus budget and professes easy access to funds for purposes of academic expansion. The PTA helps the college to generate funds for student welfare. The financially strong position of the college Management stands it in good stead to facilitate all future expansion and quality enhancement plans envisaged for the new millennium.

Criterion VII: Healthy Practices

The Peer Team identified several unique features, which enhance the academic environment of the college. The overall support provided by the Managing Body is conducive to good leadership. Academic activities are attuned to achieving the goal of moulding students to be intellectually well-equipped, morally upright, socially committed and God fearing which results in a high standard of discipline among staff and students. The college has a separate counselling centre which takes care of the academic and personal problems of students. Individual care is be toward on students under the class teacher system and there is a healthy practice of maintaining detailed records of each students’ progress. There is an effective redressal mechanism to cope with individual problems of students and staff. It is appreciable that students have an opportunity to evaluate their departments and teachers. The appraisal is scrutinised by the Principal who in turn recommends a course of action for improving teaching effectiveness. The college organises various co-curricular activities from time to time especially with reference to the cultural heritage of the state and the Peer Team was deeply impressed by the efforts the college has made in encouraging young students in preserving their folk identity.

Section 3: Overall Analysis

The Peer Team found it commendable that the Arch Diocese of Changanasserry and the Parish of St. George Forane Church have taken the initiative to establish a college of higher learning in an educationally and economically backward area of rural Kuttanad. To a great extent St. Aloysius’ College, Edathua, has been instrumental in changing the demographic complexion of the region. The opening up of higher education opportunities to the youth of economically underprivileged households has contributed to the development of human resources in this region. This has to a great extent improved the democratic participation of people in augmenting the infrastructure in the form of roads, bridges etc. linking it with the rest of the state.

Based on the criteria formulated by NAAC the Peer Team has the following observations and suggestions to make:

· Being an affiliated college the curriculum followed is that prescribed by the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The present programmes offered by the college are conventional and lend themselves very little towards imparting vocational and job-oriented skills among students.

· While the Peer Team is on the whole appreciative of the efforts made by teachers for cater to the academic needs of students, the result profile of the college is a cause for concern even though the teachers attribute it to the backwardness of the region.

· The extension activities of the college are impressive. But the areas of research and consultancy have not been under due focus.

· The college has adequate infrastructure to meet the present and future requirements of the various courses offered and also to cater for the overall development of students.

· The support services available to students in terms of scholarships and financial assistance, clubs, organizations, co-curricular activities, grievance redressal mechanism provides students sufficient opportunities for progression.

· Organisation and Management of the college is by and large democratic and participative, and satisfactory to the different segments. The financial affairs are well managed and there are sufficient funds available for academic expansion.

The college may contemplate the following suggestions of the Peer Team:

· Starting job-oriented, certificate, diploma and degree courses on a part-time, cost sharing basis to help enhance the employability of students.

· Teaching which addresses itself to the specific needs of slow and gifted learners with emphasis on innovation in teaching methodologies which are learner-centered.

· Inculcating a research culture among faculty and students, and establishing linkages between curriculum, research and extension to enable them to provide consultancy services to the region.

· Expanding and upgrading the existing library and the computer centre with user-friendly technologies and extending the time available for using both.

· Starting a full-time career guidance and placement cell.

The Peer Team believes that there is ample scope for this college to become a centre for community learning which can impart spiritual, moral and ethical values not just to the students of the college but to the society at large.

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