Jesuit Certificate Program (JCP) A Bombay Province Venture

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need Jesuit Certificate Program (JCP)?

The Jesuit Educational Council decided to improve the inputs to students of Jesuit

schools through a program that supplements the existing system based on curricula such

as ICSE and SSC. In particular, for the SSC system the consensus was that education

was not in step with the needs of our evolving society and industry. JCP is therefore the

execution of the Jesuit vision for 21st century transformational education discussed by

Jesuit educators.

What exactly is the JCP? The Jesuit Certificate Program is a formal program tailored to the Jesuit needs of

transformational education as outlined in the seminal document on 21st century Jesuit

education. The JCP supplements the board-mandated curriculum with a holistic program

that enables a transformation based on the SIPS Framework - Social, Intellectual,

Personal and Spiritual education. The ambition is to grow resourceful, thinking

citizens for the 21st century committed to the service of others.

What is the SIPS framework? The SIPS framework describes and integrates education along four dimensions Social,

Intellectual, Personal and Spiritual education. Social education addresses issues

and opportunities in society and its sustainability; it has a special focus on the challenges

of the marginalized. Intellectual education focuses on the application of subjects like

Mathematics, Science, Economics and Humanities. Personal education looks to

developing personal skills, arts & dramatics and sports. Spiritual education seeks to grow

and respect all faiths and belief systems.

Who is using the JCP? The JCP is a venture of the Bombay Province of the Jesuits launched in 2010 at all seven

schools of the province. The participation from schools varies in scope and activity,

depending on each school’s plans and on-going activities. A few schools have started

with the current 7th standard (2010-11 batch) while giving the current 8th, 9th and 10th

some aspects of the program before they graduate. The prospectus is available at

http://www.stanislausbandra.in

How does the JCP work in practice? The JCP targets the 7th to the 10th standard students providing them with skills and

inputs that are not available through the regular curricula. At the end of the program the

student is awarded a Jesuit Certificate issued by the Jesuit Educational Council. The

learning content of the JCP is called the Jesuit Certificate Course (JCC). The JCC is

designed by exploiting the flexibility of existing curricula, making it possible to conduct

the classes for JCP during regular school hours. Students earn the Jesuit Certificate

totalling 56 credits over 7 terms i.e. 8 credits per term (10th std has only one term of

JCC). The credits are spread across the dimensions of the SIPS framework.

● Spiritual - 1 credit per term awarded for field, research or project work that

creates better understanding of both one's own faith and that of others. The

themes or mode of work will be different for each term.

● Intellectual - 4 credits per term split across multidisciplinary work that typically

covers mathematics, science, economics and humanities.

● Personal - 2 credits per term split across 2 activities chosen from any of

physical, artistic or other personality development.

● Social - 1 credit per term awarded for project, field, research, practical social

work that is done to understand and help solve a social issue. The context and

mode of course work will change for each term.

How does the credits system work?

A credit is a means to give a student credit for attending JCP training - the student will

also be assessed on competence level. For the JCP, we have set the level of 1 credit =

10 hours of study. Each credit needs 10 hours of student work. The typical split could be

3.5 hours of classwork and 6.5 hours of self/project/field work OR vice-versa. See the

curriculum plan for details around allocations per dimension.

How are students evaluated according to the credits system?

Students will earn credits based on the effort they have put in. However, their

performance will be graded on a scale (to be finalized) using non-examination methods

of evaluation such as assessment of project work, field work, research papers,

presentations etc

Are special teachers recruited for JCP? JCP is being executed in a phased manner and existing teachers are being coached and

trained incrementally. The training is imparted by experts available to the school and

conducted on-the-job. Since large portions of existing curricula are being re-purposed for

JCP, the requirements for new teachers is reduced. Teachers recruited in the future will

be expected to have pedagogical skills in keeping with the SIPS framework.

What is the time-frame for adopting the JCP? The aim is to have the first batch of JCP students graduate in academic year 2013-2014

i.e. 7th standard students of academic year 2010-2011. The plan is that all schools of

the Bombay Province will have initiated the JCP during this period depending on their

individual school plans and capacity.

Will the JCP be recognized beyond the school awarding it? In keeping with the long-term vision of the JCP, a substantial effort is being made to

ensure that all schools of the Bombay Province also adopt the JCP. The JCP leverages the

SIPS framework and will provide a common foundation to ensure recognized quality

across all Jesuit institutions adopting this program. This construction allows each school

the flexibility for innovation and adaptation so they can address their unique needs.

What is the long term vision of JCP? The vision is for all Jesuit Schools in West Zone (and eventually nationally) to offer the

JCP and to create a program whose quality and caliber is recognized not just across the

country but globally at Jesuit institutions.

Will the JCP apply for 1st to 6th standards? In its current format the JCP targets the last four years of schooling. However, the JCP

aims to increase its scope to apply to the formative years as well.

Is the JCP compulsory for all 7th Std. students? Presently, a student together with his parents must register in writing for this

programme. We expect every child to register. A student not wanting this certificate

need not register.

For more information:

Please contact your Principal or browse through the School website.

Mumbai Jesuit Schools presently initiating the JCP:-

1. St. Xavier’s High School, Dhobi Talao, Mumbai 400 001

2. St. Xavier’s Boys’ Academy, New Marine Lines, Mumbai 400 020

3. Holy Family School, Andheri (East), Mumbai 400 093

4. St. Mary’s High Schools (ICSE & SSC), Mazagaon, Mumbai 400 010

5. Campion School, Cooperage Road, Mumbai 400 039

6. St. Stanislaus H.S. Bandra, Mumbai 400 050

7. Fr. Trevor Miranda S.J. – REAP Foundation

DIRECTIVE FOR IMPLEMENTATIONS

1. Context:

The Jesuit vision for 21

st century transformational education has been discussed by

Jesuit educators for some time now. The Educational Council in recent discussions

decided that it was time for an initiative to add greater inputs to students of Jesuit

schools through a supplementary program to the current schooling system based on

curricula such as ICSE/ SSC, in particular the SSC where the common consensus was

that the education was not in step with the needs of the time. It was agreed that a mere

shift to a new system such as IB would not only likely compromise the need for

equity which was the driving philosophy behind remaining within the government

aided system, a decision taken earlier; but would not likely meet Jesuit needs of

holistic and integrated development of both intellect and human values. Hence a

decision was taken to build a formal supplementary program tailored to the Jesuit

needs of transformational education as outlined in the seminal document on 21st

century transformational Jesuit education.

The Educational Commission of the Province tasked schools in the Bombay Province

with coming to an agreement on a draft program and beginning implementation of the

program in the academic year 2010-2011 and Fr. Jude Fernandes, Principal of St.

Stanislaus High School was tasked with coordinating this effort. A working

committee of principals of all schools in the province and two senior supportive

teachers was arranged to discuss and agree a common approach and decide on the

way forward. This meeting was held at St. Mary’s High School, ICSE, Mumbai on

13th

April 2010.

2. Summary of proceedings:

a) The meeting was attended by the principals of all 7 schools in the Province and 2

teachers from each school, in addition to Jesuit scholastics in these institutions.

The meeting was structured on the following lines:

b) An opening address by Fr. Frazer Mascarenhas, Principal of St. Xavier’s College,

set the objectives of the meeting to create a program to meet objectives of

enhancing the quality of education within the context of the decision to remain

aided, motivated by the Jesuit need to ensure equity of educational opportunity for

all, and the restrictions it placed in terms of curriculum. This meant that the

program would be a supplement to, not a substitute for, the existing curriculum.

He also emphasized the need for a driving role of teachers in this process as had

been the experience in the case of the Honors program at St. Xavier’s College that

evolved over 30 years into a globally recognized brand, driven primarily by

individual initiative of teachers, but finally snow-balling into a multi-departmental

institution-wide program.

c) A brainstorming session on the objectives of a possible program, what it would

need to add to the existing system, and what issues would need to be tackled was

carried out, after inputs on the Jesuit vision for 21st century education. This

yielded a common understanding of the task ahead.

d) Brainstorming sessions on the 4 elements of transformation-Social, Intellectual,

Personal and Spiritual (SIPS) were carried out by groups of teachers and

principals to come up with possible courses and their pedagogy.

e) A discussion session was held on a possible approach to executing a possible

program within the constraints of curricular demands on time, and a rough draft

approach to creating a timetable was discussed.

f) A final open discussion on other elements and decisions needed for execution was

held.

g) The group agreed that the organizing team from St. Stanislaus would synthesize

the discussions and circulate a draft approach for execution.

h) Fr. Francis Swamy closed the session with some very practical thoughts on

execution challenges and the need to be prepared for a slow process of evolution,

initially supported by a few motivated and proactive teachers, which in time

would become a more broad-based movement.

3. Synthesis of discussions:

1) Objectives: The group agreed that the Jesuit certification program would:

a) Use the Jesuit 21st century transformational vision as a framework for the

program- SIPS framework

b) Form a supplementary program to the prescribed curriculum

c) Focus on integrated and holistic development

d) Emphasize development of both intellect and human values

e) Allow all students to flower, irrespective of their individual talents

f) Emphasize excellence in all aspects

g) Use a practical approach to design of the program

h) Utilize and enhance existing initiatives rather than re-invent the wheel

2) Elements to be added a) Deepened focus on value education and social awareness

b) Intellectual program with a focus on making learning a life long journey of joy

c) Deepened focus on experiential, real life application, and activity based learning

in all aspects of the pedagogy

d) Also focus on the creation of key skills and competencies for the world outside

e) Explicitly encourage self-study, spirit of enquiry and research and hence

independent thought in all aspects

3) Issues to tackle a) Time constraints

b) Mindset issues in all stakeholders

c) Human resources- staff and resource persons

d) Training and motivation to support an enhanced role

e) Balancing curricular and JCP resource demands

f) Uniformity of standards balanced with flexibility for each institution to innovate

4) Core elements of Social program a) At least some elements will need to be compulsory

b) Visits to NGOs, areas where socially relevant issues can be seen first hand

c) Field work to understand issues and come up with solutions

d) Project work on these issues

e) Work to involve not just exposure but thought, research and problem solving-

emphasize active thought involvement

f) Experiential work through mentoring programs – schools, NGOs or individuals

g) Need to draw linkages to curricular content and work

h) Evaluation through thought –sharing modes in different forms

5) Core elements of a spiritual program a) At least some elements will need to be compulsory

b) Focus on inter-faith and own-faith understanding

c) Through project and group work to understand key common elements across

faiths

d) Added exposure through common sharing and celebration of festivals

e) Again program must have active thought and research elements and not just

passive exposure

f) Evaluation based on projects, presentations and other forms of thought sharing

6) Core elements of personal program a) Needs to encompass a large spectrum from physical development through sports

and hobbies to arts, personality development and other interests

b) Each school already offers a large set of these

c) A formal program must ensure all- round development of the individual into a

more balanced person, rather than just a set of disparate activities- hence a need to

fuse different activities into a cogent portfolio

d) A formal program can ensure minimum exposure to each category through the

duration of the program and minimum competence levels in each

e) A possible categorization: 1) physical 2) arts 3) general personality development

7) Core elements of an intellectual program a) Focus on application rather than new knowledge

b) Inter-disciplinary modules rather than courses structured by subject (as is already

done in the curriculum)

c) Emphasize research, project and field work

d) Overall program must span all aspects of intellectual work- math, science,

languages, humanities, business and economics

e) External world contact, exposure and work; external and resource persons can

enhance the real life applicability

f) Focus on elements/assignments that involve issue identification, problem solving,

and active thought and application

g) Evaluation to focus on quality of thought rather than volume of work

h) Likely best structured as a set of projects with inter-disciplinary elements in the

form a project module

4. Contact/Instructional time needed for a possible program in a term

1) The structure of the program is a function of overall time that can be spent beyond the

curricular needs.

If this is assumed to be a total of 4 periods a week that can be gleaned from periods

such as religious studies, work-experience, physical education, personality

development, arts and crafts etc that the Board allows flexibility within, over a term of

14 weeks (not including exam and unit test weeks); there would be about 56 periods

available (or 28 hours) that can be used across a term for instruction.

2) The group agreed to some broad principles:

a) Use of 1 period of contact time in each fortnight (or once in two weeks) to guide

the efforts in the social and spiritual elements so that the total number of periods

per term are 7 for social and 7 for spiritual. This would mean a total of 14 periods

for these 2 elements. These can logically be used or combined with religious or

integrated studies periods ( 1 a week for both spiritual and social put together)

such that normal work in these periods for other planned instruction, can proceed

in the balance 1 period per week assuming 2 periods per week of IS

b) Use of existing periods of PT/ SPT/ special activities for personal transformation

through arts, sport and personality development; as currently offered in many

schools. For any reasonable level of proficiency this will mean between 1 and 2

periods per week- totally between 21 and 28 periods per term for personal

c) This will leave between 25 and 18 periods per term for the intellectual stream

which is about 1 to 2 periods per week of contact time. This is lower than is

desirable- so each school will have work on how to make this a minimum 2

periods of contact by finding another 1 period per week from other curricular or

co-curricular work to take the total periods dedicated to instructional/contact work

for JCP to 70 hours from the 56 hours earlier assumed. This is summarized in the

table below

Element of JCP Contact needs

Contact/ instructional Periods per term Cummulative

Social 1 period every two weeks 7 7

Spiritual 1 period every two weeks 7 14

Personal 2 periods a week 28 42

Intellectual 2 periods a week 28 70

• Assumes a term of 14 weeks

• Then periods needed for contact/instructional work of JCP = 5 periods/week

3) Structure of credit system

a. A credit system could work on the basic premise of a minimum number of hours

of student effort for a credit in each term and a minimum level of competence

achieved in each area in which he gets a credit. If this is assumed to be 10 hours

per credit, the structure for a credit system could be as follows:

Credits in a term

Element of JCP

Contact/ instructional Periods per term

contact/ instructional hours

Self study/ research/field/preparation work outside class driven by student

total hours credits

Social 7 3.5 6.5 10 1

Spiritual 7 3.5 6.5 10 1

Personal - module 1 14 7 3 10 1

Personal - module 2 14 7 3 10 1

Intellectual- project 1 7 3.5 6.5 10 1

Intellectual-project 2 7 3.5 6.5 10 1

Intellectual- project 3 7 3.5 6.5 10 1

Intellectual- project 4 7 3.5 6.5 10 1

total 70 35 45 80 8

Each student will need to do 2 modules of personal in each term, choosing from among

3 areas : arts, sports, personality development, but must cover all 3 in each year

b. Across four years this would mean:

Base program

Standard Term Credits

7 1 8

2 8

8 1 8

2 8

9 1 8

2 8

10 1 8

total 56

There could also be a “MAGIS laude” program with some additional individual

work as

c. MAGIS laude program

Standard Additional need Credits

7 or 8 Year-long individual research paper in area of choice 2

9 Year-long individual research paper in area of choice 2

Total 60

4) Premises

The premises on which this is based are elucidated below:

a) An hour every week in the term for his social and spiritual transformational

work- alternating each week between the two. This will total 14 hours per term

of self/ outbound work in addition to the 14 periods of contact periods ~ 7

hours. Hence the total number of hours for social and spiritual work will total

21 hours a term~ 10 hours per element per term to complete a credit in each

stream

b) The personal development work will comprise 28 periods or 14 hours over a

term. IN addition atleast 6 hours of practice and preparation time per term for

the final performances/ events in each module will be expected. In each year

the student will have to reach minimum competence levels in one module each

of arts, sports and personality development. So he can do 4 modules with

atleast 1 for each area in 2 terms or 2 modules per term. This will mean 20

hours (14+ 6) hours across the 2 modules in each term to award 2 credits of

personal development

c) In intellectual there will be a target 14 hours of instruction or contact split

across 4 projects. Each area will also involve upto 6- 7 hours of independent

work to conclude. This will mean 40 hours ( 14+ 4*6.5) hours in a term for the

award of 4 credits at 10 hours a piece.

d) This will mean 4+2+2= 8 credits per term

e) The program will run for 7 terms ( 2 each for 7th

, 8th

and 9th

and 1 for the 10th

),

totally minimum 56 credits to be awarded a JCP

f) Additionally 1 individual paper in any two years across the 7th

/ 8th

and 9th

for 2

credits each guided by a teacher – needing 20 hours of self work each can be

awarded for 2 credits each, totaling 4 additional credits over the program to

be eligible for a “outstanding” or “MAGIS laude” program

5) Standardization

a) The need for standardization has to be balanced with the need for encouraging

innovation and adaptation at the school level. The risk with standardizing

especially at an early stage will be that the opportunity to get new ideas from

each school will be lost. Also it may prevent each school from adapting to its

own particular situation even before the Jesuit body as a whole has had the

time to learn what works and what does not.

b) Hence the approach early on would be two-fold:

1) Allow each school the maximum freedom to decide its program within the

broad contours mentioned above (8 credits a term across SIPS).

2) Standardization will be brought about by submitting to an inspection by a

team of peer principals or an empowered body of the Education council

once in a term as a means of achieving credible and acceptable

standardization over 2-3 years

c) Overall each credit worth of work, will have to be challenging work for the

student in the context of his standard, with significant increase in exposure and

change in mode of learning, with a minimum of 10 hours of work. The extent

of adherence will be determined by a school’s drive and the oversight and

mentoring by the working group of principals (comprising 7 principals of the

Bombay Province).

6) Approach to execution

a) In keeping with the general approach of allowing each school the maximum

flexibility within a certain framework, a possible approach to execution could

be as follows:

b) Whether a school starts with making the JCP an elective immediately as a

separate program with separate sign-ups, or chooses to make it compulsory for

each incoming 7th

standard batch, for 1 term as a means of creating awareness,

will be left to each school to decide.

c) Whether a school drives the first term as a separate set of periods driven as a

separate program, or incorporates these elements as part of its core periods and

ensures completion of the time/ coursework needs within existing period

structure will also be left to each school. For example- whether each school

has 5 JCP periods a week or gets 5 periods of JCP work done within existing

periods/time-table will be left to each school subject to meeting the scrutiny of

the peer principal group

d) Whether the school charges an additional amount for the program or is able to

manage within its existing fees and cost structure will again be the choice of

each school; subject to a basic premise that no deserving student should be

deprived due to lack of finances.

e) Overall a low key approach to expectation setting in the first year; and only a

later communication of the larger JCP construct after a term or two of work,

would give each school greater flexibility in implementation and an

opportunity to over-deliver rather than under-deliver. However each school

can again choose its own approach to information dissemination and

expectation setting

f) Each school will have to formulate its own plan for managing teacher

motivation and involvement, as also teacher skill enhancement and training

7) Next steps These could be as follows:

a) Each school starts to plan its own program for the coming term starting June

b) A session for any further clarifications will be held next week, Tuesday 27th

April, 2pm, at St. Stanislaus High School.

c) A meeting of the working group on progress will be held by Wednesday, 29th

July, 9am to 3pm at St. Stanislaus High School.

8) Annexures to this document:

a) Summary of group thoughts on objectives, additions and issues to tackle

b) Brainstorming discussion summaries for each group

c) Group contact list