When
the M.Ed. degree course was started in conjunction with
the University and the four training Colleges in the
City in 1944, St.Christopher’s offered the course
in Educational Sociology.
The institution was one of the first Training Colleges
in India to cater to the in-service needs of teachers
through its Department of Extension Services inaugurated
in 1956.
The transition from the Secondary Grade Teacher Training
to the Senior Basic Teacher Training in 1955 was smooth,
as since its founding, students in St.Christopher’s
have been encouraged to be self-sufficient in meeting
daily needs. The full time M.Ed. course was instituted
in 1974, followed by the establishment of the Women’s
Studies Centre in 1975. The College was conferred the
status of Autonomy in 1988. M.Phil was introduced in
1996.
The College has celebrated Silver Jubilee, Golden Jubilee,
Diamond Jubilee and Platinum Jubilee and Eighty year
celebration in the years 1948, 1973, 1983, 1998 and
2003 respectively.
|
|
The College was accredited at Five
Star level, the highest level, among the autonomous
Colleges by the National Assessment and Accreditation
Council in 2000 and received the National Gold Star
Award by the International Business Council, Delhi for
its outstanding achievements in 2001. Our College has
been selected as the best institution for the Yeoman
service in spreading St.John’s Movement and received
a memento from the Governor of Tamilnadu on December
27, 2003.
The Women’s studies centre established in 1976
responds to the needs of women and brings their problems
into the life and concerns of the society. The centre
focuses its activities on documentation, development
of rural and urban women and research in promoting channels
of communication among groups and institutions concerned
with the welfare of women.
The need for a laboratory school where teacher trainees
can observe young Children led to the opening of the
Nursery school in 1976. The same year, the college was
recognized by the University of Madras as an institution
for work leading to the Ph.D degree in Education and
enrolled its first candidate.
The little seed of 12 L.T. students and four members
of staff housed in a small bungalow, is now a large
tree which has branches out into the Ph.D., M.Phil.,
M.Ed., B.Ed., D.T.Ed sections, the Nursery School, the
Department of Extension Services and the Women’s
Studies Centre.
The College with 12 L.T. students in 1923, is now having
the strength of B.Ed. 160 students. The number of departments
has increased from 3 in 1923 to 10 in 2006. At present
we do offer D.T.Ed., B.Ed., M.Ed., M.Phil., and Ph.D
in Education and nearly 17 credit based job oriented
certificate courses, namely, Religious Education, Health
and Nutrition, Journalism and Mass communication, Video
Photography, Home Budgeting, Spoken English, Environmental
Education, Gender Studies, Maintenance of Archieve,
Office Automation, Web Designing, Desktop Publishing,
Photoshop, Cutting and Embroidering Financial Accounting,
Applied Mathematics and Laboratory Techniques in Biology.
Infrastructure Facilities increased day by day along
with the students’ strength and with the increase
in the number of the courses and the optional subjects.
We have an Computer automated Library with nearly 25,000
volumes, computerized examination unit and a mini gym.
The college and school complex covers 10 acres. The
campus is filled with beauty, activity and the promise
of tomorrow.
We are deeply conscious of the fact that the present
has been possible only because of an inspiring past
and the vision, dedication and generosity of innumerable
women, who are a part of the St.Christopher’s
family. The Alumni have given leadership and service
in many spheres of life.
In the words of our college hymn:
‘Give us faith that ventures forth
Not content with-worn ways,
Eager hearts, prepared to meet
New adventures all our days’.
So, we keep marching forward and reaffirm our pledge
to the continued pursuit of excellence and service to
the community.
|
