Catholic Colleges and Social Transformation

Does education transform society as the topic of this session seems to suggest, or does society shape education? According to the author, this question has been answered at least in three different ways. The third perspective avoids the two extreme positions of social change through education or educational change through social revolution, and accepts a middle view, which may be termed the “relative autonomy thesis,” which the author finds most plausible. By providing some statistical data on Catholic higher education, the author suggests some areas of relevant action, like liberative thrust, promotion of justice, pedagogy of praxis and ethos of co-operation. The author concludes the article by affirming that in a world where so many pressures unconsciously condition the minds and the feet of our youth to the rhythmic drumbeat of the status quo, Catholic education should be able to offer students a different option - to become enlightened, creative non-conformists, committed to the cause of building the India of our dreams