ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE

 

Twelve years ago, when the new Principal, an eminent eduacationist, took over the reins of the college, it was in aderelict state. The students were few in number. The faculty positions were half filled. Their salaries were pending for eight months. The teachers had no interest in teaching. The students disliked learning. The results were very poor. 

The Infrastructure that existed was in disrepair. There had been no maintenance for a long time. 

The College was on the verge of closure.

The Principal was not disheartened. 

He conducted a series of meetings with the students, parents, teachers,University authorities and the officials of the local bodies.

Galvanising everyone he went on a fund mobilisation drive. He took steps to appoint more teachers. As funds trickled in, he took up the maintenance of the bulidings. The grind was painfully slow. 

When the mobilisation of resources took a positive turn, he quickly managed pay of the salary arrears of the staff.

The new look college attracted more students. 

He took to task the teachers who disengaged themselves from teaching. He firmly told them they should either do their work or quit.

Fact is, he knew his job.

There was considerable improvement in the University examinations at the end of the year. It brought more courses to the college and more students.

Year by year the college progressed well. At the end of the 12th year, the college occupied the prime position in the University. As there was a big rush for admission to the courses at the college due to its stepped up performance, it could not accommodate everyone who sought admission there. 

It was a great turn around.

Recently, in a meeting of the students and the parents at the college to honour the students and teachers for their incredible effort in rewriting the history of the college, there was a concerted request to the Principal to  bring out a book on the struggles of the past twelve years.

They maintained that 12 years is not a period to be cast off to the dust bin of history.

They were particular that the good and the bad must find a place there.

They said what was needed was the journey of St. John's when the honourable Principal was a part of it. According to them History if not recorded will fade away with no traces.

When everyone joined together in the exhortation the Principal had agrreed to commit himself into the project with the belief it would be  worth putting his time and effort into the venture  as such an initative would lead many others to follow in the path of St.John's.

Now the entire community is awaiting the release of the book on St.John's with bated breath.