Catholic colleges of Kerala

The contribution of the Catholic colleges to the world of University Education in Kerala is enormous.When there were no communities willing to commit themselves to the spread of higher education, it was the Christian Churches that took the initaitive. Without expecting any reward or benefits, the Church committed its resources to better the lives of people through University education. The colleges run by the Sate Governements of Cochin and Travancore were not enough to meet the needs of the students of Kerala. Hence the Church took the initiative of starting colleges in differnt parts of the states of Cochin and Travancore.C.M.S. College,Kotayam, St.Berchmans' college, Changancherry, U.C.College ,Alwaye and St.Thomas College,Trichur thus came into being.
So many people, belonging to all castes, denominations and religions were benefitted through their education in these colleges. These colleges became hotbeds for the growth of leaders in the independence of movement of India.Communits ,Socialists and Congressmen were educated in these colleges.
St.Berchamns' college was the first private college in Travancore that offered degree courses in Science.At a time when peole belonging to the so-called lower castes could not get education in the Government colleges, it is the institutions run by the Christian agencies that offered them opportunities for collegiate education.
The great services done by these great colleges are now overshadowed by the controvers that arose in the wake of the starting of self-fiancing institutions about whose nature the political leaders are misleading the people of the State.Self-financing institutions , by thier nature , are to be supported by the initiatives of all the people who are involved in them--parents, students and the community.It is a system of educational institutions that arose because the Government cannot subsidize the starting of new professionaql colleges.Theyare in some ways similar to the charter schools started in the United Sates because of the abysmal failure of the public school system.