 Dr
Abraham Ebenezer has been the principal of
Bishop Cotton Boys School, Bangalore since 1993.
He obtained his M.A. (History) from Mysore University. He
was awarded his Ph.D. in Public History in 1998 by the International
University, Missouri, USA. To begin with he was a government
official after he passed the Karnataka Administrative Service
exam, but he didn't hold the post for a long time. He decided
to take up a teaching position in college. His talents did not
go unrecognised and he was made the Deputy Director for Collegiate
Education where he was in charge of about 400 colleges in the
State of Karnataka. However, he was closely associated with
Bishop Cotton Boys School, first as a parent and then as the
Vice Chairman of the Board of Management. Later he became the
Convenor of the Education Committee. When there was a vacancy
for the post of principal at Bishop Cotton Boys School, Dr Ebenezer
was requested to take over. Ultimately, as a call, he took up
the post in the month of June 1993.
This dynamic man is the recipient of many awards: the Balshyog
National Award -1995, Rashtriya Gaurav Award -1995, Karnataka
Jyothi Award -1995, Ekta Shree Award -1997, Vijaya Ratna Award
- 1997, Environment Conservation Award -1997, International
Conservation Award -1997, and the Rashtriya Award -1997.
Dr Ebenezer has been instrumental in adding many new facilities
to the school such as the Elphick Park in 1994, the Warden's
Park in 1996, Pakenham-Walsh Block to house part of the Junior
school in 1997, Kindergarten Annexe with Multimedia Centre in
1996, Staff Quarters for 4 families & 4 singles in 1997, Kindergarten
Hall & Library in 1998, Pettigrew Resource Centre for Internet
& library in 1997.
Dr Ebenezer is a man with a mission and has many other plans
for the school, a new auditorium and a professional management
college among others. Here is a man who has 'promises to keep
and miles to go before I sleep'.
THE INTERVIEW
What is the philosophy / aim of the school?
A: The main objective of the school is to profess moral education,
bringing in standards in academic excellence, discipline among
the students, and provide good education to the society.
Do you have any quotas for NRI children?
A: We don't have any quota other than for students belonging
to the Church of South India. If they are eligible according
to age and other things they will be automatically given a seat
depending on the vacancy position.
At present the institution is affiliated to the ISC and ICSE
Board? Do you have any plan to seek affiliation to international
secondary school boards?
A: Immediately we have no plans to affiliate ourselves with
any other university.
Bishop Cotton Boys School is famous for its extracurricular
activities. Can you expound on this?
A: If the school makes a difference it is for our extracurricular
activities. We have been having a series of extracurricular
activities which are called the 2000 series. We started with
Heal the World Programme in 1995. We invited all the schools
to take part. It was a wonderful success. Based on that I called
for a South India level Cultural Festival. And that was followed
by Vision 2000 in 1997, then Towards 2000 in 1998. In 1999 it
was Welcome 2000 and this year we are having Feature 2000. More
than 60 schools from all over the country will be taking part.
It is a huge affair. For the first time we have added computer-based
competitions which is called Alan Turin Festival. The first
ever Toon Festival is to be organized, competitions for kindergarten
children.
What is the main purpose of conducting these extracurricular
activities?
A: It is a confidence building process where students assess
themselves, and that competitive spirit should be there… a sense
of national integration, unity in diversity.
Do you have prizes for class toppers?
A: Every year fifty meritorious students are selected… recognized
with a trophy, a cash award of 2000 rupees and a beautiful certificate.
What about scholarships?
We have different systems of scholarships. All children belonging
to the Church of South India will be given full tuition fee
concession. Then we have another set of students - need-based
- drivers' and conductor's children. There are children to whom
we are giving even lunch in addition to uniform, books and everything.
The next category is merit scholarship. There might be a great
singer, a musician, [a sportsperson] - so pick them in their
respective fields and give the scholarship. Last year we have
given scholarships worth 16 lakhs. In addition to that, from
kindergarten to twelfth standard, standard-wise who ever secures
the first place will be given Rs 5,000. The Mahindra and Mahindra
Award, the company has set up one scholarship. Then we have
scholarships for the best disciplinarian, the honest boy, the
one who scores in different subjects.
About the funding of the school - does it come solely from
the school fees or are there other sources?
A: We mainly depend on parental support. 90% of it is school
fees. If there is any specific project, we conduct carnivals
and we go public. In 1996-97 we conducted a carnival, collected
30 lakhs, put all the money in the bank and a pension scheme
was started [for the staff of the school]. And we have started
our auditorium project. Last year at the carnival we collected
one crore in three days time. So we go public for specific purposes.
What are your views about donations accepted by private institutions?
A: There should not be admission linked donation, but in order
to develop the school you need extra money. Unless you get some
kind of support, you cannot develop. But certainly I am against
donation linked to admission.
During your tenure you have undertaken and completed many
projects. What are your future plans for the school?
A: To build an auditorium within the campus and once that is
over we are starting Bishop Cotton Academy for Professional
Management at Yelahanka. It is a huge project of 8 crores and
we plan to start the work from 2001. We would like to have a
Bachelor of Education College and a Teacher Training Centre.
Boys who pass out from here, either 10th or 12th, must have
an opening in our own institution. So we have purchased two
acres of land at Yelahanka where we would like to start professional
management courses.
The Government of Karnataka has changed the school timings
and now even Saturday has become a full day. What's your opinion?
A: If there is any need, if you have not covered the portion,
once or twice a month we can have classes on Saturday. But to
have regular classes till evening on Saturday is not a wise
policy.
Bangalore is becoming India's IT capital. What are your suggestions
to make education reflect the future needs of the techno corporate
world?
A: The curriculum, the syllabus that we have has nothing to
do with what we are going to be in the majority of cases. What
we study will not be practiced at a later date. It is not life
oriented. We need to change the syllabus, the curriculum, and
many things not only to attract students but to make it more
practical. I personally feel there needs to be a lot of changes.
Your advice to students/teachers/parents...
A: For many ills the only solution is education. Without education
we cannot build a strong nation. Without a strong nation, as
individuals we cannot thrive. Our education should focus on
nationalism, building up of a strong nation where every Indian
can raise his head and be at ease in our country. To give you
an example, an American is respected because America is a strong
nation, economically, technologically, in every field they are
strong. I hope our children will realize that and study and
understand things and build a nation that can be a match to
any other in the world.
|  |
|
|
|
2:34:10 PM 
