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Mr.Joseph Chirayath joined as Principal of Crescent Public School,Chalakdy in May 2000.He did his MA from Himachal Pradesh University and Diploma in Philosophy, Psychology,Onthology,Logic and Ethics from University of Rome. He was in New Delhi for almost 29 years, working as a teacher and later as Headmaster, in one of the most prestigious schools in the national capital,St. Columba's School. He has an all-round experience in every sphere connected with school education in a metropolitan city. Within a short period,he was able to give a total face-lift to the school and bring in drastic changes in its functioning. He is determined to bring this institution on par with the most outstanding educational institutions in the country.

In an interview to Sreeni K.R, Mr.Joseph Chirayath,Principal , Crescent School, Chalakudy spoke at length about the future and prospects of the school.

When did you take charge as the Principal of Crescent School?
I took charge of the School in June 2000. Prior to that, I was working as a teacher and later as the Head Master of St. Coloumba's School.

To promote value education, what are the different methods you have adopted in your school?
To promote value education, we have adopted various methods at our school. They are:
a]Emphasis on importance of prayer - starting the day with prayer - before every period - prayer at the end of the day.
b]Making use of occasions to stress on priority of values.
c]Respect for the poor and backward.
d]Instilling care for the weaker ones - outreach activities.
e]Collection of funds for the poor.
f]Spirit of co-operation - team study where the bright students help the weak ones.
g]Promoting initiative.
h]Apart from a value education period, every period is used by teachers to instill values as occasions arise.
i]Teachers have written a book on “Profile of a Crescentian-growing up gracefully.”
j]Value-based skits in assemblies.
k]Profile of a Crescentian in the diary - points are taken up.
l]Work shops are organized on value-based themes for senior students and parents.

“The adult is a pro-creator, but the child is a creator.” How correctly do you implement it in your school?
a]We try to elicit the creative talents of the child by providing opportunities in the curricular and co-curricular fields.
b]Preparation and presentation of creative materials during assembly.
c]Organizing functions-School day, inter school events, art and music programmes,school magazine,editorial board, dramatic talents, games, athletics etc. We also appoint school prefects,school cabinet, house captains, club leaders etc.

Apart from education ,what other activities are you conducting for the children at the school?
Handwriting (3 Language)
Recitation (3 Language)
Elocution (3 Language)
Debate (std viii onwards)
Quiz for all
Spell well
Spelling bee
Science symposium (stds XI,XII)
Jam(Just a minute) Hindi and English
Math mettle
Exhibition
Table quiz
Computer quiz
Book review
Music - instrumental, vocal
Dance - classical, western
Flower making
Embroidery
Yoga
Karate
Knitting
Orchestra
Games: Football, Basket Ball, Volley Ball, Indoor Games, Animation course etc.

Describe the infrastructure you are providing to the students.
We possess two computer labs, a mathematics lab,Physics/Chemistry/Biology labs, 3 language labs,an audio visual room with LCD and conference facility,a library,a reference and reading room for seniors,a project room,and a well maintained park for children.

What are the changes you have seen during the last few years in our education system?
a]Education has become a social responsibility,with parents being more active.
b]It has become application-oriented and not text - oriented.
C]Use of technical aids such as computer/LCD.
d]Use of life situations in classrooms.
e]Teachers need to be updated and be well-informed to keep up with the level of students.
f]Greater watch on the children and their movement.
g]The teachers role is more of a manager of learning
h]Learning has become reciprocal,it being a two-way process between teachers & students.
i]Most children work towards a goal. Sometimes parents are a hindrance by enforcing their ambition on them.

The School stands for academic excellence, development of skills and character formation.In which way do you imbibe it into the students?
Academic excellence:
a]By training the teachers to be professional in their subjects.
b]Making the class interactive.
c]Encouraging students to go deep into the subject by providing infra structure - reference and reading room, availability of experts in various subjects, drilling exercises, written work, periodic tests and assessments,team study etc.
d]The school is endowed with a very well equipped computer lab for juniors and seniors.
e]We facilitate gatherings and meetings of parents and students.
f]Much emphasis is given on sports - We have a football ground, a basket ball court and a children's park for the tiny tots.
g]Much emphasis is laid on language and communication.
h]Our school is a part of Thrissur Sahodaya - the students take part in various inter school contests and scholarship fetes.
i]The students, teachers, parents and the management together make up the Crescentian family.The family spirit is a unique identity of this institution. The school with its motto "Education is Enlightenment" is constantly striving to achieve greater quality standards in the scholastic as well as non-scholastic fields for an all-round growth.

Keeping pace with technological innovations and knowledge,what changes have you brought about?
The following are the methods we adopt:
a]Giving emphasis to computer education.
b]Training the teachers to be professional through work shops.
c]Co-operative learning.
d]Development of audio visuals
e]Language labs.
f]Learning by doing - use of aids.
g]Keeping our eyes open to changes.
h]Making an efficient working system.
i]Lesson plans
j]Lesson supervisions
k]Group discussion with subject teacher
l]Guiding the students-remedial classes for weaker students.
m]Audio visuals etc.

Looking at the future,where would you place Crescent Public School,Chalakdy by 2020?
A number of our students would have passed out from CPS, taking up various occupations and remain settled in life.By 2020 the school will flourish with better infra structure and facilities for students.By that time the students will awaken further to find themselves more challengeful and responsible, so that they will be able to adjust to the changes in the society and in the learning process. The students will be loyal to their alma mater. They will be able to build a better tomorrow for themselves and for the society by disseminating the rich values they have imbibed from CPS.