START - St Thomas Academy for Research and Training

Established in 2005 under patronage of the Catholic diocese of Thamarassery in Calicut district of Kerala State, the St. Thomas Academy for Research and Training, or START, incorporates a unique vision in education of the young. Our vision arises from the firm conviction that the currently popular fashion of orienting school education to the preparation of the young for entry into professional courses such as Medicine, Engineering or Nursing is driven more by utilitarian principles, than considerations of  natural aptitude or inclination. We further believe that this obsession with success in 'entrance tests' is seriously distorting the aim of education which is cultivation of the mind and not cramming of information as is happening today. The pervasive preference for professional courses that disregards personal aptitudes of individual students leads to misallocation of precious human resources. More importantly, the cumulative impact of these societal and psychological influences eventually destabilizes cultural moorings that connect the young student to the magnificent traditions of the Syrian Christian community that maintained its moral authority and intellectual eminence in society by holding firmly to its commitment to the principles of compassion for the weak and quality of life in its fullness all through its long history of nearly 2000 years.

START, therefore, attempts to correct these distortions in educational policy and purposefully turns its focus away from the prevailing popular fancies. It takes up as its highest priority the development of the individual student's personality, based on the student's natural aptitude and ability. START training assiduously seeks to build up in the young adolescents their creative and analytical faculties, rather than their capacity to cram information and to inculcate in them an unswerving commitment to values and an abiding sense of compassion, rather than a consuming passion for competition. The academic programme here therefore carefully fuses together a habit of critical analysis and mature reflection and positive attitudinal reorientation by emphasizing the study of the humanities and the basic sciences in equal measure. The special programme of personality development, in turn, is geared to cultivating in the young trainee an enduring sense of moral and ethical values, a keen awareness of social responsibility and a firm commitment to qualities of professional excellence and personal integrity.

START, however, is not a regular school or college that awards degrees or diplomas; instead, it seeks to enrich routine educational programmes by deepening the students' understanding and by developing the individual student's personality in keeping with his or her age and natural aptitudes. The training lays special emphasis on the development of communication skills, particularly in English language and improving general awareness of each student in all areas of social, economic, political or environmental significance in the life of the nation. START attempts to do this by a two pronged intervention. One, by organizing short term vacation courses throughout the academic year in selected areas; two, by conducting a one year, full time Foundational Course for students who have completed the plus two stage of education and are at the threshold of a graduate programme. The first type of training, intended for school students, known by the name Mini Masters' training and Master Training (depending upon the age group) is confined to local areas for logistical considerations.

Foundation Course- the Flagship programme of START.

The Second course of training is intended to be a Foundation Course that is intensive in nature and is the flagship programme of START. The one year long, full time course is also residential in character and is open to students from all States. The bold and innovative programme, probably the first of its kind in the country, demands postponement of regular college studies for one year. At the same time, it introduces the young student to most, if not all, of the academic, ethical and social concerns that a full fledged university education ought to address in the present context. Intellectual and moral pinning of the idea derives from principles of liberal education enunciated by Cardinal Newman but its transformation in the form of an academic programme has been shaped by the special needs of a developing society like India. Its timeliness and relevance have recently found eloquent support in the report of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission of India published in 2008 and which has recommended setting up what it calls  the 'Post School Grooming System' to prepare Indian youth for taking up important administrative responsibilities in future. It is significant that the expert Commission set up by the Government of India came to identify in its report of 2008 the same national priorities of inculcating in the young values of integrity and ethical conduct that START had conceptualized and anticipated in the form of its flagship programme way back in 2005.