CHAPTER IV

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1 INTRODUCTION:

Once the data are collected, they must be systematically analysed,

scientifically interpreted and rationally concluded. In the present study, both
quantitative and qualitative data are collected for analysis and interpretation.
The history and contribution of Petit Seminaire are presented in qualitative term
while the perceptions of teachers, parents, students and alumni are analyzed in
quantitative term. Thus, the present chapter deals with the history and
contribution of Petit Seminaire and the perception held by teachers, parents,
students and alumni about the educational role of Petit Seminaire.

4.2 HISTORY AND CONTRIBUTION OF PETIT SEMINAIRE: QUALITATIVE

ANALYSIS:

The history of Petit Seminaire from its inception in 1844 up to the present
year and its contribution to the society of Pondicherry by shaping the future
citizens of the country is a land mark in the history of Pondicherry Union
Territory. The hideous and relentless path in which the institution has gone
through to its present stage of its perfection has bloomed into a jewel in the
crown. The sub-section deals with the origin and development of Petit
Seminaire, a pioneering institution dedicated to the cause of education in
Pondicherry Union Territory.

4.2.1 ABOUT PETIT SEMINAIRE : TOWARDS A CENTURY AND A HALF

Petit Seminaire !

Doesnt it sound an unusual name for a higher secondary school?

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 Yet the premier institution of its kind in the Union Territory of Pondicherry
is called by that very name.

LOCATION

The imposing dome of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception that

looms large at the background giving the impression that the school lies in its
shade signifies the fact that Petit Seminaire is owned and run by the
Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore.

Its impressive gateway on Mahathma Gandhi Road in the heart of the city
leads to the sprawling complex that, wedged between Needarajapayier street on
the north and St. Theresa convent street on the south, houses the classes from
V to XII standard.

STRENGTH

It is through this gate walk in 3800 boys for their daily portion of
intellectual food, while nearly 300 matriculates and 200 higher secondary
students leave this portal at the end of every academic year holding high the
torch of the school that bears the motto Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum Nothing
Great Unless Good.

The same gate witnesses every year in the month of January hundreds of
young parents walk in timidly with their tiny toddlers seeking admission for the
latter in the Lower Kinder Garden class. The lucky four hundred and odd tots
who win their seat proudly walk out to mix with the stream of nursery children at
the Oupalam ground to return to this imposing gate again after six years.

A SEMINARY

The high walls and the ornamental steel gates flanked by two
watchtowers wherein the statues of St. Joseph and St. Mary stand as heavenly
sentinels give the school the air of a medieval cloister reminding the onlooker of

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its hoary past when it was a seminary run by the French Missionaries of Paris
Society of Foreign Missions.

BIRTH

Petit Seminaire is completing on 19th March 1996 a century and a half of

its fruitful existence in the service of Pondicherry Mission, the Archdiocese of
Pondicherry and Cuddalore State. On the historic day hundred and fifty years
GO Mgr. Bonand, the Vicar Apostolic of Pondicherry, blessed and inaugurated
the first buildings of the Petit Seminaire the ground floor of the main structures
of the school.

METAMORPHOSIS

In the last one hundred and fifty years the institution has undergone a
great metamorphosis from a seminary to a minor seminary, from a college
imparting secondary education in French to an English medium higher
secondary school.

INSPIRING STORY

The story of this metamorphosis, though stunning in its simplicity follows

the true lines of classic greatness. The history of the trials the seminary
underwent, the challenges she had to face and the achievements the good Lord
has blessed her with well not only fill everyone of her past students with a strong
sense of belonging and pride, but also inspire those who are within her campus
in this Sesqui Centenary Year and the generations to come with a fresh spirit of
commitment to scale new heights.

4.2.2. A SEMINARY OR A COLLEGE:

THE MADURAI MISSION

As one looks back his eyes come to rest on the 18th century, when the
Jesuit priests of the Society of Jesus from Italy and Portugal like De Nobili and

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Joseph Beschi, were busy spreading the Gospel on the Carnatic Coast, which
they called the Madurai Mission.

THE CARNATIC MISSION

Pondicherry was then, a newly found French seat of commerce. France

was noted for its allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church under the jurisdiction
of Pope. Naturally Pondicherry became the refuge for some French Jesuits
fleeing in 1689 from the anti-Christian feeling that was raging high in Siam.
These fugitives carved for themselves in the region north of the Pennar River a
field for missionary work and called it the Carnatic Mission.

These Missionaries worked as far as Vizagapatinam on the North and

Mysore and Coimbatore on the West, Madras was not included in the
Pondicherry Mission.

FUGITIVE MISSIONARIES

In 1771, there arrived another set of refugees, seeking asylum under the
French flag from the wars and persecutions that were raging in Cochin China.
They were member of Mission Etrangeres de Paris (Paris Society of Foreign
Missions).

GENERAL SEMINARY

The MEP fathers were not alone in their flight. They brought with them
the General Seminary they had been running in Cochin China to train indigenous
priests for the missions in the Far East.

This they re-established on an idyllic spot between Ariankuppam river and

the Bay of Bengal at Arikmedou, 5 km south of Pondicherry. Traces of its ruins
are still to be seen in a mango grove at Virampattinam.

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 The seminary, also called a College General, was in fact a three-in-one
institution-a seminary giving instructions in theology, a college teaching
humanities and a vocational school imparting training in a manual trade.

CARNATIC MISSION UNDER MEP

Meanwhile the Society of Jesus came under a cloud in the Church and
the Jesuits were suppressed. Following the dissolution of the Society of Jesus,
the Carnatic Mission was placed under the care of the Mission Etrangeres de
Paris in 1777.

Formation of native clergy being the main objective of the Paris Society,
Monseigneur Brigot, the Vicar Apostolic of Pondicherry was very keen on
senging the local youth aspiring to become priests to Virampatinam Seminary.

His plan could not be realised, thanks to the Caste prejudice of the
christians of the region. They refused to allow their children to study with the
Annamites, Chinese and other foreign students who, as the Superior of the
seminary, Fr. Pigneau de Behaime points out in a note dated 1777, share with
us the honour of being considered almost equal to an outcast.

MALABAR COLLEGE

Thereupon Mgr. Brigot founded in 1778, a Seminary the first seminary

in Tamil region at Oulgaret, a Christian village 3 km. west of Pondicherry. It was
a Seminary College for Indians, whom the French called Malabareese. Hence
the name Malabar College.

A FRANCIS XAVIER

The first superior, Fr. Busson was a wonderful combination of the burning
missionary zeal of St. Francis Xavier and the spirit of mortification of the Father
of the desert. After a long day of strenuous work, he prayed far into the night till,
overcome by sheer exhaustion, he let his body lean on the wall allowing nature
to take what he would not willingly give.

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 His death was worthy of his life. Though stricken by a mortal fever he
would not leave his post till the Bishop, on hearing about his grievous illness,
sent his palanquin to bring him to Pondicherry for treatment. Within hours of his
arrival he was dead.

SLOW GROWTH

The tree he nurtured with so such assiduity was very slow in yielding
fruits. From the start, the Bishop had no illusion about his Seminary. In 1778 he
noted, Now they are only fifteen in number, but they know almost nothing and
very few are promising.

Of the fifteen students none attained priesthood. In 1784, Mgr. Brigot

thought he had found a seminarian with true vocation and wrote to the Prefect of
the Propaganda in Rome for permission to ordain him. The authorization came
in due time but the prospective priest had decamped like others.

FIRST FRUIT

However, his coadjutor, Mgr. Champenois had the consolation of

ordaining the first priest in 1788. Fr. Thomas was the first fruit of Pondicherry
seminary, Fr. Phillip was ordained next year.

It is true that only a few priests came out of the Oulgaret Seminary. But
the training and education it imparted enabled those who left the seminary to find
in later years a lucrative job with the French Government in Pondicherry as
interpreters. The Government too did not fail to notice this indirect service of the
Seminary to the administration.

RETURN OF FUGITIVE

Meanwhile normalcy having returned in Cochin China, the fugitive

Seminary at Arikamedu returned in 1781 to its original soil except for Fr. Magny
who was left behind to take the place of Fr. Busson.

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 In 1792, the Malabar College moved to a new building built by Mgr.
Champenois on the northern side of the Cathedral.

FLIGHT OF MALABAR COLLEGE

Soon the institution found itself in the troubled waters of the British
occupations of Pondicherry in the wake of the French Revolution. Fr. Magny
and his seminarians fled to the safety of Karaikal and from there to Tranquebar,
then a Danish settlement north of Karaikal. The native returned home in 1799.

LEAN DAYS

From 1804, the Seminary was ailing from paucity of funds. The French
Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars had impoverished the Sovereign Pontiff
who could not help the Mission. India itself was in the throes of wars and
revolutions. Commerce had dwindled. There is definitely a note of
disappointment in a note of Mgr. Champenois dated 1804. During prosperous
days the Seminary had 12 students. Six of them became priests and others
discontinued their studies in the seminary. To-day for lack of resources there
are only four students.

Fr. DUBOIS TO RESCUE

In 1812, the Seminary was on the verge of closure. On hearing about it

Fr. Abbe Dubois, the renowned author of the Book Manners and Customs of
India, who was working in the Mysore region, returned to Pondicherry, took
charge of the Seminary and maintained it with the resources at his disposal.

SEMINARY CLOSED

The trickling stream dried up completely when in 1832, the French

Government stopped the annual subsidy it had been granting to the Seminary
from 1815. Shortage of Professors was another threat to the Seminary. The
result was Mgr. Herbert had to close the doors of the Seminary. The faithful of
Pondicherry wrote to the Vicar volunteering financial support if only the Mission

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could provide educational facilities to their children. Mgr. Herbert was hesitant to
accept the proffered assistance.

REVIVAL OF GRANT

In 1834, Pondicherry Governor, De Melay wrote to Paris, We need to

reopen the Seminary College for Indian Christian Children. The lack of
resources has obliged the mission to close it, but it is that College that has
formed all the Indian employed now as Interpreters by the administration and the
tribunals. In 1835, Paris revived the annual grant and the Seminary started
functioning again.

4.2.3 PETIT SEMINAIRE ORIGIN:

GREAT SYNOD

It may be safely said that the history of Petit Seminaire dates from
January 1844, when Bishop Mgr. Bonnand called the First Synod of
missionaries. That was the occasion when the great assembly of priests
reviewed the functioning of the Seminary. It was found that there were only 17
students and the studies were very mediocre except in Latin and theology. The
synod advocated a series of steps to reorganize the establishment and to
promote education in general in the Mission.

DECISIONS OF SYNOD

The Junior Seminarians should be separated from the senior students. A

Minor Seminary was to be built at once and a Major Seminary as and when
financial circumstances allowed. Petit Seminaire would impart instructions in
Latin, Tamil, French, English, Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, History and
Geography. Boys belonging to high castes-those who were allowed in the
society to interline-could be accepted as boarders and boys from castes other
than low castes could be admitted as day scholars. But the synod said a definite
no to the admittance of married Hindu boys into the college, as inconveniences
seemed to outweigh the advantages.

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PETIT SEMINAIRE BORN

Petit Seminaire began to function from March 1844 with 89 students of

whom 25 were boarders. Only 20 were ecclesiastic students, aspiring for
priesthood.

FIRST RECTOR

Fr. De Marion Bresillac was appointed as the first Rector of the Seminary.
He had a team consisting of an European priests, an Indian priest and a number
of lay professors and supervisors to assist him.

FIRST PARENTS DAY

The first prize distribution function in the history of Petit Seminaire was
held in January 1845. The august assembly included such eminent persons as
the Governor, Bishop and the elite of Pondicherry. Fr. Marion in his report
appealed to the parents, You have to get accustomed to see your sons
educated by others than you. Your children have to get good habits of study.
We cannot replace you at home. Please do not swallow the petty complaints of
your lazy children. Come and speak about it with us. The appeal provides an
insight into the nature of the problems the first administrators had to face.

Pondicherry with the rest of India was quite suspicious of what was new.
Further the French Missionaries had to break the myth that an instruction was
the monopoly of Brahmins.

NEW BUILDING

The work on the new building began simultaneously. The foundation for
the new building was laid in November 1844 in the Mission Garden at the back
the Cathedral. A site was bought on Gandhi Road, then known as the Madras
Road, from a Christian Brahmin lady named Annamal and an entrance was
provided to the Seminary from the road.

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INAUGURATION

The ground floor of the imposing structures that serve at present as the
main building of the school was completed and blessed by Mgr. Bonnand on St.
Josephs Day, 19th March in 1846. After the blessing of the building the Bishop
conducted a High Mass in the Chapel of the Seminary.

The building cost the Mission Rs.9000. It is interesting to note that no

subscription was collected from Pondicherry Catholics.

Petit Seminaire had been successfully launched to the great envy of the
Europeans living at Karaikal. They murmured as reported by Father Godelle
from Karaikal, Why so beautiful a College for Indians at Pondicherry when there
is nothing for Europeans at Karaikal.

Mgr. BONNANDS SERVICE TO PONDY

The great service Mgr. Bonnand had done to Pondicherry can be fully
realized from Fr. Maurys prize distribution report in 1869 Mgr. Bonnand opened
to the Indian population, one Secondary Establishment wherein they could study
science and letters. It was not only to spread French language but specially to
educate young men who could be able officers and clerks in the administration.
It is a great thing he did for Pondy. Pondy should not forget it. If the European
boys have their Colonial College, the Indians have their Petit Seminaire College.

However Pondicherry people were far from happy about the college.
Christians were sore because the Missionaries were ready to give admission to
Hindus. This measure, they were afraid, would affect the employment
opportunities of their children in the Government service. The Hindus were
unhappy that the Missionaries should link religious marks with admission. The
fathers forbade wearing tilak on the forehead.

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NEW MISSIONS

In 1846, there took place another important event that affected the fortune
of the Seminary. The vast Pondicherry Mission was divided and Bangalore and
Coimbatore became separate Missions. Fr. Marion became the Bishop of
Coimbatore. Fr. Godelle replaced him as Superior.

Time and again the Seminary came to grief on account of the young
missionaries fresh from France. Full of zeal and imagination, but not yet
mellowed by the social milieu in which they had to work they dared where the
experienced angels feared to tread. In 1834, Fr. Brigot Beaclair introduced
some reforms touching the customs of the people which made the students
leave the Seminary, leading to the closure of the Seminary.

NEW PRACTICE

In 1846, it was Fr. Leroux, the new Professor who raised the hornets
nest. He began to take his meals in the boarding, though at a different table.
Emboldened by this move, some fathers invited the seminarians to eat at their
table during holidays. In Karuvepundy at a religious ceremony, four seminarians
assisted the priests wearing Cassocks but without wearing the traditional turban.

STORM

The act, though it seems to us at present, very innocent done with a high
motive, raised a violent storm that rocked the Mission and the Seminary for
nearly six months.

Those were days when caste Catholics found themselves in a very

unenviable position. They were batting hard to maintain their caste respectability
before Caste Hindus who looked upon all Christians as low caste people
because they also found a place in the churches.

From the start, the caste Christians had viewed the decisions of the
Synod with regard to admissions to Petit Seminaire as a veiled threat to the

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caste system. The innovative steps of the young missionaries seemed to prove
their suspicions.

CLOSURE

The caste Catholics not only abstained from church but also prevented
their womenfolk from going to church. Some seminarians were dismissed at the
very beginning of the problem, while some others were taken out by their
parents. Tamil newspapers published from Madras carried letters and articles
condemning the acts of the priests. The seminary authorities declared indefinite
holidays and the seminary was closed.

NORMALCY

Normalcy returned in April 1847 only when Mgr. Bonnard managed to

convince the people that the mission did not want to abolish the caste system or
interfere with their manners and customs that were not contrary to religion.

PLANS FOR FUTURE

Mgr. Bonnards notes on the incident reflected the mood and plan of the
Society for the future. After that quasi revolution we decided to establish the
seminary on the model of a real seminary of France, open to young people of
good families for their education, which it was impossible to get elsewhere an
education based on principles which make their hearts noble and at the same
time activate their intelligence . We thought of satisfying the whole
congregation by opening a day school which would allow non Christians to
attend classes. We did not want to limit ourselves to work exclusively for
Christians .

NEW MAJOR SEMINARY

The storm was a sorry reminder that it was time to realize the second
decision of the great Synod. Mgr. Bonnard laid the foundation for a separate
seminary, which had been since March 1846, sharing the new building with Petit

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Seminaire College. The new building, hastily built, was blessed on September
18, 1850. Fr. Godelle was appointed as the Rector of the Major Seminary.

INDEPENDENT COURSE

Petit Seminaire College was on an independent career of her own with Fr.
Godet as her Superior. In the same year following instructions from Rome, she
opened her gates to children of all creeds. However the response was poor
partly due to the antipathy of the Hindus towards Christianity and partly because
Latin, one of the subjects taught in the Seminaire, was in no way useful to them.

A FRENCH SECONDARY SCHOOL

Petit Seminaire College was in a minor seminary preparing boys desirous

of becoming priests, for major seminary, as well as a college giving secondary
education and preparing students for life. It was called a college after the French
fashion though it was only a secondary establishment.

It followed a syllabus equivalent to what was followed in any French

College or Lycee. Only Greek was not included for it had no relevance to Indian
boys. Even Latin which was necessary for boys aspiring to become priests was
not much liked by other students. In fact it was impediment to many of the boys
getting secondary education. Science found an important place in the curriculum
since the French missionaries wanted to bring about a harmony between Faith
and science in the adult life of their students.

NEED FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL

Elementary education in Petit Seminaire was only a preparation for Latin

and secondary education, quite necessary for seminarians. Parents, however,
wished that their children should be given proper primary education as it was
given in France. In 1862 proper primary course of French education was
introduced. Brothers of Christian Doctrine from France helped the fathers in their
venture.

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Fr. HENRY AS RECTOR

In 1855, Father Henry who had been professor in Petit Seminaire since
1851 became its Rector. He was the head, heart and soul of the institution till
1883 with a short break of three years from 59 to 62 when the Major Seminary
was benefited by his service.

A teacher par excellence, always preferring some lower class like IV or V

standard he took great interest in training the teachers. His another delight was
teaching catechism for higher classes.

THE AUTHOR OF FRENCH - TAMIL DICTIONARY

Fr. Mousset was another great name in the early annals of Petit
Seminaire. A walking encyclopedia, he was professor of VIII standard for over 40
years. The French Tamil dictionary he wrote in collaboration with Fr. Dupuis,
Manager of the Mission Press is still in great demand. He served Petit Seminaire
till blindness obliged him to stop.

GROWING SEMINARE

The strength of the college steadily increased from 100 students in 1850
to 200 students in 1859. Of them, 40 were boarders, who wished to become
priests. The Mission looked after their needs. Day scholars had to pay a monthly
fee of two and a half francs i.e., Re. 1. In 1873, the strength stood at 445
including 40 seminarians. There were a number of Hindu and Muslim boys on
the roll. They were free to follow their religion.

The major seminary had been constructed in haste without proper

planning. As time went on, it proved to be too small to accommodate the ever
increasing vocations.

FIRST ARCHBISHOP OF PONDICHERRY

The first Archbishop of Pondicherry Mgr. Laouennan, who succeeded

Mgr. Godelle to the Bishopric in 1868, wisely decided to demolish the structure

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and raise in its place a new one. The work was started in 1874. The result was a
in building which now houses classes IV to VI, 95 yards long eighth spacious
rooms for professors and seminarians, well-protected against the sun by
verandahs, and with a chapel, refectory, exercise hall and infirmary.

Once the building was completed around 1877, the junior seminarians
were with drawn from Petit Seminaire and brought to the Grand seminary as
boarders.

4.2.4. PETIT SEMINAIRE COLLEGE:

A FRENCH COLLEGE, PURE AND SIMPLE

Petit Seminaire ceased to be a Seminary but continued its existence as a

public college, pure and simple. The junior seminarians went to Petit Seminaire
to attend classes.

COLLOBORATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT

After Pondicherry had been freed from British occupation in 1815, there
was a close understanding between the Mission and the Pondicherry
Government. The Government was helping the Seminary with an annual grant of
3000 francs.

After the Synod of 1844 the government declared that, Petit Seminaire
College was exempted from inspection by the Commission of Public Instruction.

COLLEGE COLONIAL

In 1847, the government was pleased to place the colonial college under
the care of the mission. This college had been earlier started by the Mission for
the education of European children in Pondicherry and in 1824, the government
had taken it over from them.

The college was exclusively for European children and it did not accept
Indian boys. In 1877 the MEP fathers decided to admit Indian boys into the

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college, to provide the benefit of education to all those who could not join Petit
Seminaire College on account of their caste.

LANCINATION

The honeymoon with the Government came to an end when it speeded

up Lancination. It was the process of taking education out of hands of the
priests. Lancination, which had already started in France. The trend was
spreading to its overseas colonies also.

In 1880, Petit Seminaire stopped receiving the government subsidy to

keep her freedom. Till date she is maintaining this financial independence.

In 1882, Pondicherry government took over from the Mission the

Directorate of Primary Schools. To allure the people the government offered free
education and supplied free books. These concessions of course attracted many
poor Catholics. Yet the strength of Petit Seminaire was steadily on the increase.

In 1899, the MEP fathers were asked to quit the college colonial, which
was placed in the hands of laymen. It was really a blessing in disguise. The
priests relieved from the college and joined the staff of Petit Seminaire.

Fr. Dury (1833 87), Fr. Jegorel (1888 94), Fr. Leroy (1895 1900)
guided the destiny of Petit college during this period.

Fr. Lanuary in his History of Missionaries in India published in 1896,

writes Less elegant than the colonial college but perhaps better distributed the
seminary college contains 300 students. They study mathematics, physics, living
languages and especially French, history and geography etc., Latin till
Quatrime. Students were taught for Brevet elementaire, Brvet de Grammaire
and prepared for examinations of interpreters. Those who wanted to continue
their study in Latin would go to the colonial college.

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CASTE BARRIERS COME DOWN

September 17, 1899 was a glorious day in the history of Petit Seminaire
when she pulled down the caste barriers within the campus by her wise decision
to admit into her fold those children who had so far been denied admission in
caste grounds.

STORM AGAIN

A storm brewed over the issue. On 18th morning picketed before the
school obstructing boys from entering the premises. Some went to the extent of
molesting the boys they did not like. A large body of Christians supported the
stand of missionaries. Great was the joy when the storm subsided on the third
day.

4.2.5. ERA OF PROSPERITY:

A NEW CENTURY

The dawn of 20th century saw Petit Seminaire college with a new face, a
full- fledged Secondary Establishment open to all citizens of Pondicherry,
irrespective of caste and creed.

Fr. ESCANDE AND HIS LONGEST INNINGS

At the helm of affairs was a new superior A giant of a man who could
ride across the stage of Petit Seminaire like a colossus for the next one third of
the century, a skipper with a longest innings on Petit Seminaire pitch, a soul
which is still to many an old man of the town Fr. Pierre Escande.

A practical man with a great foresight, he attended to the day-to-day

needs of the establishment with an eye on the distant future. The college entered
an era of prosperity, registering rapid growth both vertically and horizontally.

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NEW BUILDING

The pressing problem of the day was space. The professor priests who
had recently joined the staff of Petit Seminaire from the college colonial needed
accommodation. Additional classrooms were required to meet the growing
strength. These demands were met by the addition of the first floor to the two
main buildings. Such was the zeal of the foreign missionaries that they
generously paid from their own pockets towards the cost of the construction of
their future residence.

JAIL OPENS

Fr. Escande bought three houses two on Nidarajappayier Street and

one on the Madras (Mahatma Gandhi) Road. He extended the structure of he
school on the north to Nidarajappayier street with an entrance on that side by
building what has been very familiar to generations of students community as
Jail section. He also enlarged the college chapel.

ESCANDE HALL

The most monumental of his constructions was the hall which today
bears his name. This pillarless hall covering an area of 600 sq, meters with a
seating capacity for 1000 persons is an engineering feat, with its vast roof resting
entirely on a dozen of cantilever steel frames.

As tradition holds its cinema was born in Pondicherry in that hall. Whether
it is true or not, it is a fact that it stills holds the honour of being the first choice to
be the venue of examinations, conferences, seminars and celebrations
conducted by the school, or the Archdiocese or the Government or other outside
agencies.

ENGLISH SECTION

Fr. Escande readily responded to peoples wish and in 1904 started an

English section in III standard to meet the growing demand for English
Education. It was to grow up to III Form i.e., 8th standard.

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CRISIS

Next year the college faced a crisis. In recent years, feeling against the
clergy was growing strong in Pondicherry Government. The French laws
regarding Secondary Education were not followed in Petit Seminaire and so it
was illegal, they said.

On March 14, 1905, Pondicherry government issued a decree that the

Seminaire should be closed on the evening of March 31.

The protest of the public in support of the school was of no use. On 31st
March the Education Inspector visited the school to remind the authorities of the
Government order.

CONFRONTATION

Fr. Escande was not of the type who could be brow beaten. He steadily
looked into the Inspectors eye and said that the college would function as usual
the next day. The Inspector left threatening police action if the law was not
abided by.

April 1, the day acclaimed as Fools Day, dawned. Petit Seminaire opened
its gates as usual and students attended their classes.

ANCIENT PETIT SEMINARE

Petit Seminaire was functioning but as Ancient Petit Seminaire. Fr.

Escande had become Mr. Priest Escande assuming a new designation. Director
of a Superior Primary School. The secondary classes were called
complementary classes.

LAW OBEYED

Everything was within law. The government had been fooled and the
institution was saved. Such was the foresight of this resourceful man that he
bought a place in Kottakuppum ready to move out, should Petit Seminaire be

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crippled within the French territory. But his fears proved false. Only Latin could
not be taught in open class

BROTHERS OF ST. GABRIEL

In 1903, Brothers of St. Gabriel arrived from France to assist the priests in
teaching primary classes. Special mention must be made of Brother Faucheux,
who was one of the first to arrive in 1903 and one of the last two to leave in
1947. In between, he served Petit Seminaire for more than 40 years as
Professor of mathematics, science, history, archeology, drawing. For his
personal satisfaction, he made advanced studies in geology and mineralogy. He
raised a museum in the college. Pondicherry will never forget his collaboration
with Mr. Jouveau Dubreuil in Arikkamedu excavations.

QUALITY AND QUANTITY

With well-qualified professors in the staff, the standard of education in

Petit Seminaire improved. So the student strength showed a steady increase.
The strength increased from 800 in 1903 to 1000 in 1904 and to 1100 in 1907.
Of them, 700 were Catholics in spite of the efforts of the anti clerical
government to woo persons and students to government schools with free
education and free supply of books . Parents preferred the superior education
provided by the missionaries. The college did exceptionally well in the
examinations, despite the fact that the examiners were from government
schools, not much favourable to Petit Seminaire students.

CYCLONE

In 1916, the petit Seminaire residing in the grand Seminary narrowly

escaped from the fury of a storm that swept over the seminary buildings, during
the most terrible cyclone that Pondicherry had ever witnessed. In the middle of
the night, the gushing wind became very violent becoming an imminent danger
for the Petit seminarians sleeping in the dormitory in the upstairs.

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SEMINARIANS ESCAPE

Fr. Veyret, the Assistant Rector of the Major Seminary, wisely removed
them to the shelter of the chapel. He did not act one moment too soon. Hardly
had been the boys been assembled in the chapel when the only staircase of the
Seminary, wrenched by the storm, came down with a crash. Praised be the Lord
that only the building was left in a sad stage.

MINOR SEMINARIANS LEAVE

Presently the Minor Seminarians were attending Petit Seminaire College

only for English. Their last link with the institution broke in 1921, when they were
sent to St. Joseph s High School, Cuddalore. Petit Seminaire became a
misnomer, it becoming completely a college of day scholars preparing for
government examinations under French pattern. However, the name Petit
Seminaire still remains kindling blessed memories of its memorable past.

MATRICULATION SCHOOL

In 1932, the English section was upgraded into a high school, preparing
boys for the Matriculation Examination and was affiliated with the Madras
University.

FIRST SET

The joy of seeking of the first set of boys appearing for the Matriculation
Examination in March 1934 was not given to Fr. Escande. Providence chose to
give it to Fr. Guillerm, the new Director. The first set though only six in number,
set the trend for later years by securing 100% pass.

PROVINCIAL SEMINARY

The new building of the Major Seminary that looked more spacious in
1875 became too small by the first quarter of the 20th century. The reason for
Pondicherry Seminary had become a Provincial Seminary, training priests also

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for the dioceses of Coimbatore, Mysore and Kumbakonam. The vocations to
priesthood were also steadily increasing.

TO MALLESWARAM

It became impetrative that the Seminary should move to a new ground

with more space for future expansion. Malleswaram on the outskirts of
Bangalore became the choice of the Bishops of the Province. In July 1934,
silence descended upon the corridors of the Primary Section building when the
Major Seminary moved to Malleswaram after an existence of 157 years on the
soil of Pondicherry, during which it had produced 184 Indian priests not an
ordinary achievement to speak of.

PETER. S A PONTIFICAL SEMINARY

To day St. Peters Seminary that was the name the Pondicherry
Seminary acquired at Malleswaram has risen to the position of a Pontifical
Seminary a Seminary University conferring degrees on Theology, Bible Study,
and Canon Law. Petit Seminaire is really proud of her sister blooming into
fullness of her glory.

4.2.6. ERA OF GUILLERM (1933 - 48):

PRESENT LOOK

In many respects, Petit Seminaire owes its present appearance to the

genius of Fr. Guillerm. The classrooms had been large and narrow, depending
upon their use. It was Fr. Guillerm who converted them into uniform classrooms.
To suit the improved size, the smaller wooden windows were replaced
by large French windows with glass panels. The elegance of classrooms was
further enriched by the addition of teak furniture from Tindivanam Industrial
Training School.

The infant classes that lay on both sides of the entrance and above the
entrance were small and were often disturbed by the noise of the road. They

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also offered wonderful opportunity for the little ones to sneak out of the
classrooms unnoticed by the teachers.

Fr. Guillerm put an end to the truancy of the former when he shifted their
classrooms to a new building he built away from the noise of the road in June
1938 and had it blessed by Mgr. Colas.

The new addition permitted him to pull down most part of the old building
at the entrance.

The steel grill gate that adorns the entrance giving the whole complex
an impressive look replaced the wooden door. Above the entrance stood the
statue of St. Joseph keeping a lonely watch over the establishment.

Fr. Guillerm gave St. Joseph the company of Blessed Virgin Mary when
he built two tower like niches on both sides of the gate and installed their
statues.

WORLD WAR II AND PETIT SEMINAIRE

The World War II affected the fortunes of Petit Seminaire to some

extent. The arrival of missionaries from France grew less and less. Some had to
move out to the parishes.

Hence, the number of priests in the establishment gradually decreased

and their place came to be occupied by lay teachers. Fr. Guillerm improved their
salaries and introduced pension scheme for them.

In the French section, he introduced the teaching of Tamil in the higher

classes, thus, making the preparation for Baccalaureate Examination more
efficient.

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A DISCIPLINARIAN

A stern disciplinarian, Fr. Guillerm was a terror to the boys, who fondly
referred to him by the appellation Tiger. Of him one could say what Oliver
Goldsmith said of his soldier turned teacher, Thomas Byrne,

If severe in naught
The love he bore to learning was in fault

It was this love that made him extend by half an hour the supervised
study in the school during the Great War II, when lighting at home became a big
problem. The students could go home only after one and a half hours of study.
However the studies were cancelled in 1946, when Pondicherry youth became
much involved in the Freedom movement.

This hero of the First World War did not hesitate to sell his war medals
to pay his teachers. Such was his love for his teachers and dedication to his
Mission.

In January 1947, Br. Faucheux and Br. Eugene, retired from service on
account of old age. They were the last of the Brothers of St. Gabriel to teach in
Petit Seminaire.

FOREIGN SISTERS IN PETIT SEMINAIRE

At the same time Sisters Honore, Elizabeth, Christina and Regina of

Foreign Missions joined the staff of the college. They arrived from France in
December 1946 at the request of Mgr. Colas. With the induction of the sisters, it
was hoped, that the college would enter a new era of prosperity.

BELIED HOPE

As it very often happens with human hopes, this hope proved to be a

lair.

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 For years in the recent past French was losing its ground to English.
French barometers were gradually dropping as more and more parents preferred
English Education for their children and reached an all-time low of 300. At the
same time the mercury level in the English sections was shooting up.

It fell to the lot of Fr. Guillerm to preside over the dissolution of the
French section. In July 1948, there were no more admissions to the Seconde
(Higher Secondary) and Kindergarten classes. These classes were withdrawn.

Having inaugurated the process of dissolution, Fr. Guillerm left for St.
Peters Seminary, Bangalore shedding the mantle of responsibility on Fr.
Swamikannu.

4.2.7. ERA OF TRANSITION:

The next eleven years saw the great transition from a French College to
an English High School. Year after year a class in the French section was closed
till French was reduced to a Second language in the Matriculation section.

FIRST INDIAN SUPERIOR

It was not mere coincidence but real providence that willed that the first
Indian Superior and that too a priest trained in the Seminary, both Petit and
Grand, should guide the destiny of the institution in this transitional period.

The person chosen for that honour was Fr. A. Swamikannu. He had
been the Director of the English section during the regime of Fr. Guillerm. One
chick keeps the hen busy. It was so with regard to the French section in Petit
Seminaire. Though a decreasing number, the French students were not
neglected.

The priests took great care that the students should complete the
course of their study without being demoralized. They succeeded in their efforts
as shown by the brilliant results in the Brevet Elementaire Examination. Till the

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last flicker Petit Seminaire headed all the schools that prepared students for that
examination.

Even in the last year, when there was only one class, there was no
slackening either on the part of the professors or on the part of the students. The
credit should go to Fr. Roland who through personal contact inspired each
student with a taste for learning.

LAST MEP FATHER

Having succeeded Fr. Lapouge as Director in 1953 Fr. Roland, the last
MEP father in the staff of Petit Seminaire, stamped the mark of his personality on
his students during the seven years of his office.

He revived the supervised study that had been suspended after the war.
These studies under his personal supervision from Monday to Friday coupled
with fortnightly individual assignment enabled the students to become efficient in
mathematics and sciences.

4.2.8. YEAR OF EXPANSION:

STEWARDSHIP OF FR. S. PETER

In June 1960, people found Petit Seminaire poised for a grand take off in
the new career as Petit Seminaire High School. Fr. S. Peter was her Principal.

His stewardship signaled an era of expansion both in space and

strength.

The hall which at present accommodates the computer laboratory, was

the first of the series of buildings he added to the complex during his two terms
of office from June 1960 to May 1980 with a break of 2 and a half-years in
between. The classrooms plunged into near darkness on rainy days hence the
sky was overcast. In 1963 he made arrangements for lighting in all the
classrooms. The fund for the work was collected from the students at Rs.15 per
head.

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UNIVERSITY COMMISSION

In the same year, a three member University Commission visited the

school. The commission, though much impressed by the functioning of the
school, laid its finger on its weakest spot. The school lacked a proper
playground.

ACQUISITION OF PLAYGROUND

By a clever stroke of bargain, the vast police ground that lay adjoining to
the Mission fields at Oupalam was acquired for the school playground.

It was a sight to see the Principal, teachers, and the high school
students spreading to raise the level of the ground on holidays. Besides students
paid a subscription of Rs.15 each onwards, the cost of a lorry load of earth.

STADIUM

Time was not lost in building a large stadium which was blessed by Mgr.
Ambrose, the Archbishop and inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Pondicherry,
Mr. Farook Maricar in the Gandhian centenary year, 1969.

The addition of a large ground with several play courts enabled the school
to give importance to the development of the body too. Sports Day became the
annual feature in the academic year of the school. When Pondicherry State
Government started conducting Inter School Competition in Games and Sports
Petit Seminaire High School forged ahead in the field of sports as well and
maintains its lead till date with a striking difference.

NEW CLASSROOMS

Meanwhile Fr. S. Peter had to satisfy the One Man University

Commission that Petit Seminaire High School had enough space to open yet
another section in IV Form. So was added the first floor to the structure. Fr.
Guillerm had raised for primary classes in 1948. A spacious staff room, the
present one, was also added and the present computer centre.

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 The chapel too experienced its magic touch and assumed the present
form and elegance.

INTRODUCTION OF HINDI

Reading the signs of time Fr. S. Pete introduced Hindi as a Second

Language for he Matriculation classes. Thus, the four-language formula peculiar
to the infant State of Pondicherry Tamil, French, English, and Hindi came into
force in Petit Seminaire also with English as the medium of instruction and
Tamil, Hindi and French as Second languages.

FULL FLEDGED ENGLISH SCHOOL

English had hitherto been medium of instruction from I form, i.e., VI

Standard. Under Fr. S. Peter, the school became an English Medium High
School, from I Standard onward.

Daily religious instruction to catholic boys and weekly moral instructions

for non-catholic boys was the order of the day. This too was changed by Fr. S.
Peter, who introduced half-hour of daily moral or religious instructions to the
whole school.

MID-TERM TESTS

The achievements of the students were so far gauged by the three

terminal examinations. To egg them to greater heights he introduced the system
of three Mid-Term Examinations.
A good teacher, Fr. S. Peter handled English grammar and Indian History
in V and VI forms. A slow learner was a challenge to have skill and he saw that
the boy did well in the examination. Accordingly the laboratory was enlarged and
well equipped to provide facilities to every student to do the required
experiments.

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 A democrat in spirit, he arrived at all the epoch-making decisions after
due consultation with the Heads of the Departments. There lay the secret of his
success.

Petit Seminaire High School was affiliated to the Madras University

sending boys for Matriculation Examination from 1934. But till 1963, her masters
were not given the privilege of examinership. It was in 1963, Mr. Sambamurthy,
the Senior Science Master, represented the matter to the University Commission
when it visited the school. The representation had immediate effect. From next
year onwards Petit Seminaire teachers found a place in the several Boards of
Examiners valuing the Matriculation papers.

BEST TEACHER AWARD

It is worthy to record here, that soon after this Pondicherry Government

too honoured Mr. Sambamurthy, with the Best Teacher Award. He is the sole
teacher from Petit Seminaire to have enjoyed that privilege.

WELFARE OF TEACHERS

Next to learning, students and teachers counted most to Fr. S. Peter. He

regularized the salary of the teachers by introducing the Madras Government
Scales of Pay, which was followed in Pondicherry too. He also introduced a sort
of Provident Fund with Management contribution amounting to 50% of Teachers
Personal contribution, paid into a Savings Bank Account in the Post Office.

HOUSING COLONIES

It was he who introduced the tradition of annual excursion for the staff at
the cost of the Management. He was the power behind the scene for the rise of
Colas Nagar where in several Petit Seminaire Teachers came to have their own
houses. In fact, it would have become a Petit Seminaire Colony had he not been
a little diffident at the start about the purchase of the coconut grove from the
Paris Society. He compensated for this during his second term of his office,
when he purchased a field of housing plots for teachers. There stands today

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Peter Nagar as a dream realised that every Petit Seminaire teacher should live
in a house of his own.

END OF I TERM

In April 1970, the Archbishop transferred Fr. S. Peter to St. Joseph s High
School, Thirupappuliyur to replace Fr. Thumma, who had become Bishop of
Vijayawada.

FR. RATCHAGAR

Those times, when beard was considered as a part of priesthood, were

slowly changing and one found a priest without a beard as the new Principal.
That was Fr. Ratchagar.

A man with novel ideas, Fr. Ratchagar showed much interest in

audiovisual education and arranged for regular film shows, educational as well
as recreational, in the evenings. He also printed for the first time the school
calendar. The broad staircase on the staircase on the northern side and the
collapsible gate on the first floor were his additions to the main building.

FR. PHILIP

In May 1971, Fr. Ratchagar moved to Fatima High School to make room
for Fr. Philip whose service Mgr. Ambrose borrowed from the Archdiocese of
Bangalore under Mgr. Simon Lourdusamy.

Originally a Brother of St. Gabriel, Fr. Philip had been teaching long in
Tindivanam Training School. His long association with psychology and methods
of teaching had made him spare the rod and be a sincere sticker to methods. It
had a hay day for him when a teacher was on leave because it provided an
opportunity for him to go the class and teach that particular subject, be it Tamil,
French, or Mathematics and Science.

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 Much interested in developing the diverse talents of students he made
arrangements to conduct rhetoric classes in English and Tamil on Thursdays.
Outside the school hours, Fr. Philip could be seen on the roads, riding his ladys
bicycle and visiting the parents and students in their homes.

Today Escande Hall looks trim and tidy with furniture of uniform size. The
credit of initiating the process goes to him. He started replacing old desks and
benches with sleek furniture from Tindivanam Industrial Training Centre.

FR. JAGARAJ

When Fr. Philip left for Canada for higher studies in September 1972,
forcing a change of horses in the midstream, Fr. Jagaraj took charge. He was
hardly given any time to prove his mettle. The horse was changed again in
midstream in January 1973 under painful circumstances. Fr. Jagaraj went to
Karaikal to St. Marys High School.

SALARY ISSUE

At the same time Fr. S. Peter was transferred in 1970, the Government of
Pondicherry had announced that it would give its employees Central
Government Scales of Pay. The Principal announced that Petit Seminaire would
follow suit. So his successor was prepared to pay the new scales by enhancing
the school fees. The Government, when introduced the new scale, did so without
giving weightage to experience. But, the teachers in the school demanded
weightage for their experience. Hence started a friction between the teachers
and the management.

The Management said that they would follow the government. The
teachers argued that the school did not pay the House Rent Allowance and
Medical Allowances as the Government did. Mgr. Ambrose, who having given
patient hearing to the teachers representation in the presence of the whole staff
in his parlour, generously came for forward to pay 13 months salary as Exgratia
payment. But the teachers chose not to accept the offer.

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 In December 1972, teachers represented their case to the University and
would not budge from their stand. There upon Fr. S. Peter was brought back to
Petit Seminaire High School to solve the tangle that was supposed to have been
created by him.

II TERM

Thus started Fr. S. Peters second term in the school under an unenviable
situation. He reached a settlement with the representatives of the teachers that
the Management would pay the teachers Tamil Nadu Government Scales of Pay
including the House Rent Allowance and Medical Allowance and other benefits
permissible under the system. A section of teachers were not satisfied with the
settlement.

CENTRAL SCALES

The dust settled, but to some extent, when the Management, under Mgr.
V. Selvanathar, introduced the Central Government Scales of Pay including the
House Rent Allowance and Medical Allowance. But the teachers would have no
arrears. The benefit of annual excursion was also withdrawn and so was the half
fee concession so far granted to teachers children.

The school was bulging at its seams. The old Minor Seminary Campus
had become too small to accommodate the soaring strength. The Grand
Seminary campus that fell silent in 1934, had for some time now, been
resounding with the clatter of the plates of the inmates of the Holy Angels
Boarding. Presently the boarding that had only a limited number of boys was
closed making room for the primary classes. Still space was found insufficient
and it was made good by the addition of a storey to the southern block adjacent
to St. Therese Convent Street and another two-storeyed block on the western
side.

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TEN-PLUS-TWO PATTERN

The period witnessed great changes in the Syllabus too. The ground was
being prepared for the introduction of the new 10 + 2 year pattern.

In 1975, the University introduced Biology in the Matric syllabus. A

separate laboratory for biology was added. In March 1978, the school sent two
sets of students for the Matriculation Examination, the last set under the old
eleven years pattern and the first set under the new ten years pattern.

The Matriculates under the old XI year pattern, as usual, found

comfortable berths in various professional or Arts and Science colleges. But a
majority of those who passed the Matriculation under the new ten year pattern
was at her doors again seeking admission in + 1 class.

4.2.9 PETIT SEMINAIRE HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL:

In July 1978, Petit Seminaire was born again, this time, as Petit Seminaire
Higher Secondary School, offering two courses of study at the higher secondary
level - one with Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry and another with
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Advanced English. Two years later
Advanced English was withdrawn and Commerce was introduced in its place.

INAUGURATION

Mgr. Michael Augustine, who was then, Bishop of Vellore Diocese,

inaugurated the higher secondary classes. He had studied in the primary classes
in Petit Seminaire College under Fr.Guillerm and had served as Director in Petit
Seminaire High School under Fr. S. Peter.

Already the school had two well-equipped laboratories - one for Physical
Science and another for Biology. Under the new pattern, a separate laboratory
was set up for Chemistry on the ground floor of the easternmost wing of the main
building.

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INFANT JESUS BLOCK

The last building Fr. S. Peter raised was the two storeyed Infant Jesus
Block on the site of the old cycle stand with space for cycle parking at the ground
level and classrooms on the first floor. To Fr. Escande Hall, he gave a new look
by reinforcing the support and lighting the weight of the roof with asbestos
sheets.

DAILY TEST

The school had now, to prepare two batches of students for two different
public examinations. To motivate the students to regular work, Fr. S. Peter
introduced daily tests for X and XII standard students. His strategy yielded
desired results - centum or near centum pas in both the Matriculation and Higher
secondary Examinations. In the first Higher secondary examination, Petit
Seminaire students won III and V rank in the region of Tamil Nadu and
Pondicherry.

MATRICULATION BOARD

In the days when the Matriculates entered the Intermediate or P. U. C.

classes, the University had the control over Matriculation schools and they were
affiliated to the Madras University. Under the 10 + 2 pattern the Matriculates did
not come under the purview of the University. Hence, the university relinquished
its jurisdiction over the Matriculation schools. The Matriculation Board set up by
the Education Department of Tamil Nadu Government took its place. Since its
inception the Principal of Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School has been a
member of the Board. Meanwhile the Archbishop was pleased to give a Vice-
Principal to the school. M. S. Regis was the first to enjoy that position.

UNREST ELSEWHERE

The year 1980 81, was a tough period for the Archdiocese of
Pondicherry and Cuddalore. The teachers in two leading higher secondary
schools of the Archdiocese demanded a change of leadership. Fr. S. Peter
offered to move to one of the strife-torn regions.

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FR.M. PETER

The beginning of the next school year found Fr. M. Peter on the chair of
Petit Seminaire while Fr. S. Peter had gone to Tindivanam to preside over the
destiny of St. Anns Higher Secondary School.

A man long accustomed to an entirely different environment, Fr. M. Peter

found it a bit difficult to adjust to the new situation. But his engaging smile and
soft spoken Thambi and the steady Xray like seethrough stare, when
disturbed, endeared him to one and all in Petit Seminaire.

MORNING ASSEMBLY

He made the morning assembly more prayerful with a different song each
day and the acclamation Praise the Lord that sent raptures through the young
ones.

The food for thought he supplied in the morning assembly not only
enlivened the gathering but also had a deep impact on the growing minds. To
encourage students to develop their diverse skills he started conducting the
Talents Search Competitions, which have become an annual feature of the
school programme, like sports and terminal examinations.

NEWMAN NURSERY

There were times when petit Seminaire High School admitted students to
I standard through entrance examinations. This practice came to a stop when
Newman Association of Pondicherry started a nursery school, for which Mgr.
Selvanathar generously built a building on the school playground at Oupalam.
The school accepted the students from Newman Nursery School into her I
standard.

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PETIT SEMINAIRE NURSERY

Fr. M. Peter thought that it was time that Petit Seminaire had its own
nursery classes. And hence in June 1983, he started the L. K. G. class.
Students continued to be of the same sex i.e., boys. But with regard to teachers
there was a sea change. Yes they were she teachers.

4.2.10. MODERN ERA:

FR. J. PAUL

Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School stepped into the Modern Era in
December 1983, when Fr. M. Peter relinquished office into the hands of Fr. J.
Paul.

Before retiring from service, Fr. M. Peter spoke to the teachers, I had
been the Maharaja of the Colonel Gardens. They treated me like a raja. But only
in Petit Seminaire I learnt what real love and respect is.

COMPUTER CENTRE

The first thing Fr. J. Paul did was to open the computer centre
inauguration by Mr. P. Kannan, an old student and Pondicherry Minister for
Health. In March 1984 the centre became a pioneering effort in the field of
computer education in Pondicherry, conducting certificate courses for students
during summer holidays.

The centre has two beautiful computer labs. One at the main school and
the other at the Nursery school. The main school has one multimedia, 11 PCs
and 2 LANs, one with 3 nodes and the other with 8. The school has 4 dot matrix
printers of high letter quality and one laser printer. The nursery school has 10
machines; each one is a tower of 386 model with a colour monitor. They are
provided with mouse and connected to a network of 486 model. Examination
results, nominal roll, payroll, fee receipts, time-table, etc are all computerized in

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the school computer centre. Children from L.K.G. onwards are given training to
handle computers.

COMPUTER GROUPS

The opening of the computer centre was a preparation for offering

computer science as a subject of study in the higher secondary course and that
group was in July 1984.

Every year more than 200 students passed Matriculation from Petit
Seminaire. But only 160 were absorbed again into the Higher Secondary class. It
seemed to be a great injustice. Hence, the school opened an additional section
in the group that offered Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry as
subjects of study. At present the school offers 4 different courses of study.

EXTENSION LABORATORIES

The addition of new courses and sections meant additional laboratory

facilities Fr. Paul met the demand by extending the Physics and Chemistry
laboratories. The new additions were opened by Mr. Joseph Mariadoss, a former
student and Education Minister of Pondicherry and blessed by
Mgr.V.Selvanathar the Archbishop on October 13 1986.

NURSERY AT OUPALAM

The ever increasing pressure for admission and dearth of space were the
twin problems the new principal had to face. The ground at Oupalam seemed to
offer a solution. Thatched sheds were erected to supplement the building Mgr.
Selvanathar had built for Newman nursery school and to begin with L.K.G. and
U.K.G. classes were moved to the new site.

Year after year classes one to three were shifted to Oupalam one after
another and placed under the care of the of the lady teachers. Standard 5 was
moved to the primary section.

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 When additional sections were being opened in every class space
became the ever-crying need of the school. In 1990, a second floor was added
to the Infant Jesus Block.

JUBILEE MEMORIAL

In 1991, Archbishop Mgr.V.Selvanathar celebrated his Sacerdotal Golden

Jubilee. In commemoration of the great event, Fr. J. Paul erected a memorial,
ultra modern in design and dcor on the northern side of the playground. On the
day the new Block was blessed by Mgr. Michael Augustine in 1994, Mr. P.
Kannan, Speaker of Pondicherry Legislative Assembly, inaugurated a computer
centre, a garden for the Lilliputians in the Nursery classes to play with the
computer gadgets.

SESQUI CENTENARY MEMORIAL

The beginning of the Sesqui Centenary year witnessed the inauguration

of a fiber board basketball court the first of its kind in a school in Pondicherry
erected at a cost of Rs. 2.25 lakhs and blessed by his grace Mgr. Michael
Augustine. The first ball was pocketed by an old student and former education
minister Mr. L. Joseph Mariadas.

A two in one structure, a stadium-cum-classroom structure is being raised

as the Sesqui Centenary Memorial. For these constructions, subscriptions were
collected from the students at the rate of Rs. 100, 150 and 200 respectively.

Under XI year system, the matriculates went to the arts and science
colleges for their P.U.C study before entering professional colleges. So the
school could not keep track of them. But under the new 10+2 system, Petit
Seminaire knew how many of her Higher Secondary students secured seats in
the medical and engineering colleges, especially in JIPMER and Pondicherry
Engineering College.

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A NEW PASSION

More and more of Petit Seminaire students entered professional colleges.

That became the passion for the new principal. As Secretary of the
Archdiocesan Board of Education, he has founded a diocesan coaching centre in
the school campus to coach higher secondary students for the entrance
examinations conducted by various professional colleges.

The centre is open to all students, boys and girls, Christians and non-
Christians, local students and outsiders. Selections are made after an entrance
examination. Petit Seminaire students easily gained a seat in the coaching
centre, thanks to the weekly coaching classes and periodic tests. From 1995
onwards these classes were conducted to XI standard students also.

SUPERVISED STUDY

The principal pursues the slow learners in standards X and XII with great
interest by organizing special classes and supervised study at night. On the
games and sports side, the prospective winners are caught early in the
academic year and given special coaching in the morning and during holidays by
qualified coaches. Hence year after year, Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary
School is growing in quality as well as quantity, maintaining its lead in the union
Territory of Pondicherry in the academic studies and sports and games.

TALENT SEARCH COMPETITIONS

It is not only studies and games that matters much. The diverse talents of
students are given due recognition. Annual competitions are held to discover the
several talents of students at all levels and prizes are given to encourage them
to develop their skills. Besides when a boy wins an award outside the school for
any outstanding performance his merit is openly acknowledged and appreciated
in the main school assembly. This recognition by his peers, besides boosting the
morale of the individuals, motivates other students to similar performances.

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 When Mr. S. Regis retired from service in October 1986, Mr. Vincent T.
Noel followed him as Vice Principal.

WELFARE OF TEACHERS

Under Fr. J. Pauls stewardship, teachers have gained many benefits.

Presently Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School is the only self-supporting
institution in the state that increases the pay whenever government does along
with the permissible arrears and gives annual bonus, E. P. F. contribution,
gratuity, pension, family pension and cash payment in lieu of unavailed earned
and casual leave.

His one long wish that is yet to take the final form is a house for every
teacher. His dream will come true when John Paul Nagar is born.

A DYNAMO

A veritable dynamo of energy Fr. J. Paul, is always is on the wheels,

either in the air or on the ground, in pursuit of one work or other connected with
the several offices he holds. On one day he may be attending an International
Seminar on Environment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil or an Asian Conference of
Catholic Schools. Another day he may be in Madras attending the meeting of the
Matriculation Board of Matriculation Text Book Committee or may be
accompanying Archbishop Mgr. Michael Augustine as the Secretary of the
Archdiocesan Board to open a new high school in a parish. He does all that with
the same commitment of a true soldier of Christ. Yet Petit Seminaire Higher
Secondary School is his prime concern and he does not allow it to suffer in any
way. His office is well-equipped with telephone, fax and internet facilities which
enable him to direct his office and the school from wherever he is and the
school functions smoothly.

The strength of the school at the close of the Sesqui Centenary Year in
March 1996 stands at 6,169. There are 194 teaching staff members in its payroll
including 93 men and women teachers.

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 To give this growing strength the benefits of the modern technical
facilities, the school is provided with a copy printer that can print any thing at a
speed of 135 copies per minute at a cost of Rs. 3.25 lakhs and an Optical Mark
Reader (OMR) that can value objective type answer at a speed of 200 answers
at a cost of Rs. 2.5 lakhs.

SESQUI CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS (1995 -1996)

Sesqui centenary is a rare event in the life of any institution. So it is, with
Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School. It was born in 1844 as a French
school. The main building was blessed on 19. 03. 1846. This historical event is
celebrated by the school as its Sesqui Centenary. Many a priest and hundreds of
useful and eminent citizens have emerged out of this ancient institution. So it
was thought important to celebrate the Sesqui Centenary in a grand and
memorable manner.

A Jubilee Committee was formed with Reverend Father Principal in the

chair. They meticulously planned the various celebrations distributed over one
year.

Her Excellency Dr. Rajendra Kumari Bajpai, the Lieutenant Governor of

Pondicherry inaugurated the Sesqui Centenary Celebrations on 29. 07. 1995 at
our school ground by lighting the kuthu vilakku on the dais. She let fly a titanic
Sesqui Centenary balloon, bearing the name of the school. It hovered for three
days above the ground and for a week over the school. On that occasion, the
foundation stone for the Sesqui Centenary memorial was laid by Her Excellency.
It was a twoinone function, the inaugural function as well as the prize
distribution for sports. There was a display of various gymnastic events to delight
the audience.

Reverend Father J. Paul, the Principal, from the very beginning was very
much interested in setting up a permanent monument in the school to
commemorate the Sesqui Centenary. He realized his dream in the basketball
court with fiber boards. The school can proudly boast that it is the third of its kind

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in Pondicherry. The court was blessed by his Grace Michael Augustine, the
Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church of Pondicherry and Cuddalore, who is
the manager of the school. The first ball was thrown into the net by no less a
person than Mr. L. Joseph Mariadoss, former Minister for Education and a past
pupil of this school. The court is used by well over a hundred students under the
care of efficient coaches.

The Teachers Day, though an annual feature, gained extra glamour in

1995 with the inauguration of the fiber court. It was followed by honouring the
teachers. Mr. L. Joseph Mariadoss presented the ponnadai to teachers who had
served twenty-five years and above. His Grace the Archbishop presented
mementos to every one of the members of the staff.

The Annual Talents Search Competition gained a new colour in the

Jubilee year. The overwhelming enthusiasm of the students was seen from the
fact that almost the whole school participated in the competitions at the nursery,
middle, high and higher secondary levels, in nearly 19 items representing
various talents. The prize distributing function was presided by Dr. Ayub, Station
Director, Doordashan Kendra, Pondicherry. The prize-winners displayed their
talents before the audience. The same was telecast by the DD in two
consecutive weeks.

Many a time the school had planned to organize the association of past
pupils but it did not materialize till the Sesqui Centenary Year when on 28-10-
1995 Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School received on her bosom her past
pupils. She was really proud and happy when she heard their voices on her
lawns. After tea, PETSAAN, Petit Seminaire Alumni Association was formed with
His Grace the Archbishop as patron. The office bearers were selected.

On 19-12-1995 the school conducted a Christmas Carol Competition for

Christian churches and schools in Pondicherry. St. Annes High School and
Sacred Heart Church choir were adjudged as best in Tamil Carol and Notre
Dame des Angles Church in French Carol. The judges found it very difficult to
choose the winners, for each choir rendered the best. Bishop of Arcot Lutheran

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Church during the Sesqui centenary Ecumenical Christmas Carol Service. Most
Rev. Franklin gave the Christmas message. The winning choirs delighted the
audience with their carols. Petit Seminaire also presented an item. Petit
Seminaire being the host did not participate in the competition.

The dawn of 1996 witnessed PONPEX. On 04-01-1996, the Department

of Post and Telegraphs, in recognition of the service of Petit Seminaire to the
people of Pondicherry, released a special cover in commemoration of the Sesqui
Centenary. It was the last day of the three day philatelic exhibition. The first
cover was presented to His Grace the Archbishop by the Regional Manager of
Posts and Telegraphs. That day all the post offices in Pondicherry used the Petit
Seminaire Higher Secondary School symbol to cancel the stamps. It was really
an honour to the school. The special cover bore the picture of the main building.

On 25-01-1996, Hon. Thiru A. Gandhi Raj, Education Minister, presided

over the Republic Day celebrations. He hoisted the National Flag and took the
salute at the parade. He also delivered the Republic Day message. It was also a
great day for the school in another way. An old student, Mr. Vaithialingam hiding
under the pseudonym Prapanjan was felicitated. The Honourable Minister for
Education honoured him on behalf of the school for winning the coveted Sahitya
Academy Award for his novel Vaanam Vasappadum.

The Childrens Day was celebrated on 01-02-1996 for the nursery

children. The Sesqui Centenary Childrens Day was celebrated in a spectacular
fashion. The day dawned with the holy mass for the children said in the school
chapel by His Grace the Archbishop. Later that day, a gala function was held in
Escande Hall with His Eminence Simon Cardinal Lourdusamy as chief guest.
The whole function was run by the Lilliputians to the greatest delight of one and
all.

A month-long prayerful celebration of the Jubilee started on 19-02-1996

with the Most. Rev. Mgr. R. Ambrose, former Archbishop, saying the thanks
giving mass in the chapel. Throughout the month, a Sesqui Centenary prayer
was recited in the School assembly everyday.

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 24th and 25th February witnessed the state level Archbishops Rolling
Trophy Table Tennis Tournament. It was conducted in the Escande Hall. The
trophy was presented by His Grace the Archbishop.

On 20-03-1996, the month-long thanks giving came to an end with the

thanks giving Pontifical Mass at the Cathedrals sung by His Grace the
Archbishop along with the former Principals, Directors and the past and present
students. It was followed by a sumptuous lunch to all the invitees in the school
corridors.

The closing ceremony of the yearlong ceremony was eagerly awaited by

one and all. Though it was evading, everyone was sure the day was fast
approaching. The auspicious day finally arrived on the 29th of December 1996.

With His Eminence D. Simon Cardinal Lourdusamy as chief guest and

Hon. Thiru. R. V. Janakiraman the Chief Minister as president, the celebration
started in the evening at Ouppalam grounds. His Eminence Cardinal blessed
and inaugurated the Sesqui centenary Building. The Honourable Chief Minister
released the Sesqui Centenary Souvenir. His Grace the Archbishop released
Mariammai Kaviam, a Tamil epic in verse. Thiru. P. Kannan, Home Minister,
released the Sesqui Centenary Audio Cassette. The music was set by Thiru.
Ezhilan Santo, the music teacher and the lyrics were by the teachers of our
school. Thiru. S. P. Sivakumar, the Education Minister presented mementos to
the teachers. The student representatives received mementos from Rev. Fr.
Cornu, Superior M. E. P. Thiru S. Rathinam the M. L. A. of the Ouppalam
constituency presented awards to the students proficient in academics. Students
outstanding in sports and games and co-curricular activities were also awarded
prizes. Then followed the felicitations by various dignitaries. Rev. Fr. Principal
welcomed the gathering. Mr. Henry Moutappa, the Vice-Principal proposed a
vote of thanks.

The variety entertainment that followed was indeed the highest of the
evening the Sesqui Centenary Song sung by two hundred nursery children, a
movie song played by the school orchestra and the last but not least item, a

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sound and light spectacle on the history of the school from the beginning till date.
After the vote of thanks the Papal Anthem was sung. The celebration concluded
with the National Anthem played by the school band.

Fr. A. ARULAPPAN

June 1997 witnessed a change in the head of the family of Petit

Seminaire. Fr. J. Paul, left for U.S.A. for his research and Fr. A. Arulappan from
St. Anns Higher Secondary School took change as Principal. Daily tests for X &
XII standards were replaced as weekly tests. Examinations were conducted
outside examination hall in classrooms also. A spacious library and vehicle
parking stand were put up nearer the entrance of the main school. When the
government of Pondicherry implemented 5th pay commission, Fr. Arulappan also
introduced the new scale of pay with arrears by increasing the school fees from
Rs. 210 to Rs. 270.

Eight classrooms were added in the first floor near the stadium in the
Ouppalam ground. As a priest, known for his simplicity, Fr. Arulappan organized
all the functions without much pomp and show. One could see in the school
office, Fr. Arulappan tabulating the mark list for each standard with paper and
pencil or getting ready with time-table for the next academic year.

Mr. Henry Moutappa, a senior physics P.G.T. was elevated as Vice-

Principal.

Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice. Rev. Fr. Arulappan
exemplified this famous quotation in his life till he got retirement due to super
annulations in July 1999.

Fr. M. DOMINIC ROSARIO

To prepare the students and staff to face the challenges in 21st century,
Fr. M. Dominic Rosario, with lot of innovative ideas, took charge as head of the
institution in July 1999, Fr. P. Arulnathan, a young priest, joined this institution as
Vice-Principal.

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 During Fr. Dominics period, students were insisted on wearing full
uniform complete with tie and shoes.

Necessary arrangements were taken to make all the boys to talk only in
English within the school campus.

To minimize leave-taking, a regularity card was introduced during his

period. A staff council of 21 members with the Principal and Vice-Principal as
chair persons had been set up to bring about greater co-ordination and smooth
stream-lined administration. In March 2000, the front portion of the Escande Hall
got renovated to give a majestic look. In 2001 April, Eight classrooms in Primary
section were completely renovated. More computers were added during Fr.
Dominic Rosarios period and modified the entire office with all the facilities.

As a lover of sports and games, he concentrated more on sports

activities. One could see Fr. Dominic playing shuttle along with teachers in the
evenings.

As a powerful preacher, he could inspire people from other religions also,

at the time of conducting mass.

Most of the secondary grade teachers got promoted to school assistant

grade II during his tenure. Fr. P. Arulnathan got transferred to St. Josephs
Higher Secondary School, Cuddalore and Fr. Sagayaraj was made Vice-
Principal.

Petit Seminaire is noted always for its rich tradition and with its usual flair
and flamboyance, attained 100% results in +2 and matriculation examinations
consecutively for two years (i.e.) March 1999 * March 2000, due to the co-
operation of the dedicated staff and effort taken by Fr. Dominic Rosario, who
preserved the idiocy crazy of the institutions.

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 Fr. Dominic Rosario, left this institution in August 2002 for his pastoral
work to Bahoor and Fr. Sagayaraj was shifted to Cuddalore St. Josephs H.S.
School. Fr. C. Antoniraj was made Vice-Principal, replacing Fr. Sagayaraj.

Fr. S. ANTONISAMY

The school stepped into the modern eco-friendly era in August 2002 when
Fr. M. Dominic Rosario relinquished office into the hands of Fr. S. Antonisamy,
the present principal.

The first thing he did was to declare the entire school campus Pollution
Free. He completely avoided the traditional disposal of the garbage, i.e., burning
and insisted in the minds of younger generation about the bio-degradable and
non-degradable wastes. Solid waste management yard was provided for the
proper disposal of waste. Lot of saplings were planted in and around the school
campus and also in the Oupalam ground. Rain water harvest scheme,
implemented by Fr. S. Antonisamy in the school campus, got appreciation from
both public and the Government of Pondicherry. By now, an average of two
thousand cubic meters (i.e., twenty lakh litre) of rain water is annually harvested
and percolated and about one lakh litres of rain water is stored in sumps and
used for household purposes. The science and technology department of
Pondicherry came forward to publish a book titled Pollution in Pondicherry
authored by our school students.

A principal having keen interest in the development of sports and soft

skills in the students has provided a Table Tennis Auditorium in the Oupalam
ground in July 2003.

The eastern wing of the main building was completely renovated in 2003.
The old library in that wing was converted into a fully air-conditioned audio-visual
room with LCD projector and public address system exclusively for students in
October 2003.

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 A mini dispensary, Petit Health Care with a fully qualified doctor and a
nurse was pressed into service in the same year for the benefit of students and
staff. Another similar health care centre was built in the Oupalam section also
during March 2004.

A security-cum-parlour room was built near the main gate of the school
during March 2004.

Eight ultra modern classrooms, toilet block, the second floor over the
Golden Jubilee block and a self-attached staff room for the lady teachers were
built in March 2004. A neat toilet block towards the Southern compound wall of
Oupalam ground was provided in June 2004.

A hygienic toilet block was built in the Southern Block of the Main school
in June 2005.

Twin Basket Ball concrete courts with fiber glass boards and with rain
water harvest facility was inaugurated on October 5, 2005 and again the Mgr.
Clement Bonnand Block with eight classrooms to house the V standard students
was inaugurated on the same day by Mgr. Antony Anandarayar, the Archbishop
of Pondicherry.

Twenty-seven classrooms were provided with new benches and desks

during the last three years.

Parents meetings with the principal on Saturdays, remedial classes for

slow learners, special classes and supervised study for slow learners are some
of the highlights.

Students of NSS are encouraged to take keen interest in implementing lot

of welfare measures, like mass cleaning of campus, eradication of illiteracy,
arranging special classes for the downtrodden children of Vambakeerapalayam
and Dupurayapet.

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 God has been so good as to bestow Petit Seminaire with all fortunes
through various general managers and eminent principals. She still remains an
institution much sought after by the parents in Pondicherry for the education of
their children because of the dedication with which she continues to pursue her
mission.

Rooted in the past, but adapting herself to changing times, Petit

Seminaire will ever forge ahead to attain new heights of glory.

Fr. M.S. JOHN BOSCO

On first June 2007, Fr. M.S. John Bosco, a kind hearted dynamic priest
from St. Michaels Higher Secondary School, Gingee, took charge as Principal of
Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School, replacing Fr. S. Antonysamy, who
proceeded to Karaikal to take up the stewardship of St. Marys Higher Secondary
School.

Petit Seminaire had the privilege of having a noble, pious, kind hearted
soul as its head. Fr. M.S. John Bosco gained much popularity among staff and
students of Petit Seminaire just within two months as he remains impartial and
encouraging the teachers and students in all possible ways by his kind words
and action.

Structural developments of Petit Seminaire

As soon as he took charge, Fr. M.S. John Bosco, persuaded the

Archbishop to allow him to construct new buildings with spacious classrooms.
Accordingly, the old structure was demolished in October 2007 and started
constructing a double storeyed St. Josephs Block with a total of 15
classrooms, three parlour and two rest rooms at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.4
crore. M/S K. Subbarayalu Constructions completed this block in a recorded
period of 7 months under the able guidance of Er. S.J Rheeman, a leading
Architect and the building was blessed and inaugurated by Most Rev. Dr. Antony
Anandarayer, Archbishop of Pondicherry and Cuddalore on 4th July 2008. The
long felt demand of staff and students got fulfilled and +1, +2 and 10th standard

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students are being accommodated in all these 15 well ventilated, well furnished
classrooms.

Again Archbishop was kind enough to permit Fr. M.S. John Bosco to go
ahead with construction of new sophisticated laboratory block to accommodate
Chemistry laboratory in the ground floor, Physics in the first floor and Biology in
the second floor. The old Jail section was demolished and laboratories were
constructed during the second half of 2008 and the most modernized, well-
equipped St. Peters Science Block was blessed and inaugurated by the
Archbishop on 4th March 2009.

Fr. Bosco then constructed a new office block with Principals chamber,
staff room, Computer laboratory and four classrooms and the building MEP
Block was inaugurated and blessed by the Archbishop on 20th January 2010.
These three blocks were completed by Fr. M.S. John Bosco in a recorded period
of 27 months a biggest achievement mainly because of the interest and
enthusiasm shown by Father, as he is popularly called Building Bosco by his
friends and well wishers.

Academic Excellence

In 2008 March +2 results, Petit Seminaire bagged Pondicherry first,

second and third ranks and also 100% result. In March 2009 exam, we could
achieve centum pass and Pondicherry first rank.

In March 2010 +2 exam, we could maintain same 100% results with 77

students securing more than 1100 marks out of 1200. In matriculation
examination also we could reduce the number of failures up to 4 in March 2010
examination.

In 2008, 2009 & 2010 JIPMER ENTRANCE, we could bag 8 seats every
year the only school in Pondicherry to achieve this unique honour and
distinction.

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 In the recently started National Institute of Technology (Pondicherry) 7 of
our students got selected out of 31 seats allotted for Puducherry state.

These marvelous, spectacular achievements are due to the hard work of

all the teachers and also the personal care taken by Fr. M.S. John Bosco, who
gives top priority to the welfare of staff and students.

Implementation of Sixth Pay Scales

Govt. of India implemented sixth scale of pay to the Central government

staff and the same was given to Pondicherry government employees. Fr. Bosco
convinced the Financial committee and the Archbishop and introduced sixth
scale of pay to Petit Seminaire staff in Sept. 2008 thereby the scale of pay got
enhanced to 40% the only private unaided catholic institution to implement
sixth scale of pay to its staff is Petit Seminaire thanks to the efforts taken by
Fr. Bosco.

Pay arrears for June, July and August 2008 were given to Petit Seminaire
staff. Enhanced Dearness Allowance is also given to the staff as and when
announced by the government.

Developments in Petit Seminaire

Well purified mineral water is supplied to the students and a special plant
is introduced at a cost of Rs. 2.5 lakhs in the main school from July 2010.

A flood light tennis court was inaugurated and blessed by Rev. Fr. Joseph
Arumai Selvam, Procurator of the Archdiocese on 6th August 2010 in the primary
school ground.

Under the auspices of Petit Seminaire Tennis club, Fr. Bosco conducted
XI & XII Archbishops Rolling Trophy Table Tennis tournaments in the year 2008
and in August 2010.

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 In the Annual School Day celebrations, Fr. Bosco presented the Annual
report in the form of visual display using CDs and this got the appreciation and
applaud from the public and VIPs.

While offering blessings to students in connection with their birthday, Fr.

Principal presents them with a sapling this activity is much appreciated by all.

Fr. Bosco has organized coaching classes for JIPMER entrance and also
for AIEEE and this is extended even to other school students in the form of
weekend coaching classes.

During 2009-2010, Fr. Bosco has introduced spoken English classes for
th th
7 & 8 std students to improve communication skills.

During 2010-2011, Father has started Quiz Club in our school and
general quiz is introduced as a part of curriculum and the air-conditioned old
computer laboratory got changed to Quiz class room. Fr. Bosco is kind enough
to present Rs. 2000 to the student who gets first mark in English in +2
government examination.

Special classes are arranged for +2 & 10th class during April to cover
more portions. Pre-quarterly Examination a new scheme was introduced in
2010-2011. Daily tests are conducted between 8.15 and 8.50 am and special
classes for slow learners are arranged in the evenings.

It may be concluded here that Petit Seminaire is blessed with young and
energetic Principal Fr. M.S. John Bosco and the school will progress much more
and reach greater heights in the years to come.

4.3 SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION OF PETIT SEMINAIRE:

Petit Seminaire stands for human values and all round development of
personality of learners. In the course of its educational activities, the Petit
Seminaire maintains exemplary characteristics which are society-oriented,

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teacher-oriented and student-oriented. From the documents available in this
school, it is known that Petit Seminaire has been making the following special
contributions:

4.3.1 MANAGEMENTS CONCERN

Petit Seminaire HSS's management like a mother who will selflessly give
the best to her wards in spite of the hardships she has to undergo. Even though
it belongs to a specific religions, all the people are kept at the same platform. If
there is anything best that can happen to the employees, the management is the
first one to adopt in the whole union territory of Pondicherry. This attitude makes
the teachers to render to the school the best of their capacities.

4.3.2 QUALITY CURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR COACHING

The Petit Seminaire underscores the importance and relevance of

effective transaction of curricular and co-curricular activities to sustain quality in
education. The school gives special impetus to sports also. The physical
education department teachers take tremendous efforts to identify the different
sports talent among the students and encourage them to blossom in the different
fields of sports.

4.3.3 TEACHERS CONTENTMENT

The teachers of Petit Seminaire HSS work to their fullest potential by

which they are completely satisfied to be a member of the faculty in their great
institution. This satisfaction is attained easily because of the management's
freedom for the teachers and also creating a congenial atmosphere for the same
thus, making the school a better place to live in spite of the physical exhaustion
of teaching.

4.3.4 TEACHING EXPERTISE

If an individual keeps oneself exposed to the modern trends of

mechanisms and update to such an extent, the individual will be in a better
position to deliberate their duties to the best of their capacity. This is done by

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the management wherein which they get modern aids to the teachers who will
utilize to their pupils. The management also offers different opportunities for the
student - teacher interaction and thus, bridging the so called generation gap
between the students and the teacher.

4.3.5 MUTUAL RESPECTABILITY

The virtue of respectability always brings in complete acceptance of one's

whole self. The view and stature of the learners are widely respected by the
teachers which will definitely create a domestic and homely understanding which
will enable the student to open up his psychological setbacks or difficulties and
thus, paving the way of healthy counseling by their teachers who will be in a
better position to understand the problems between the peer groups more than
their own parents.

4.3.6 TEACHERS EXEMPLARY PROFILE

The teachers serve as a role model for the students because in their
young and adolescent age, the children who are students will get carried away
by wrong idols, ideals and influences. When their own teachers stand as an
exemplary person before their eyes, they will definitely not choose a wrong path
to lead their life. This is strengthened by the individual attention, care and
concern nurtured by the teachers of Petit Seminaire HSS.

4.3.7 INCULCATION OF DIMENSIONAL VALUES

Teachers not only teach the subject but also moral values. The values
are depicted in the morning assemblies. The principal stresses on value-based
education whenever they get an opportunity to address the gathering and thus,
motivating the students to develop certain positive life-oriented values and
virtues.

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4.3.8 SKILLED EDUCATIVE PATTERNS

The teachers are not only interested in the subject matter, but they give
importance to the global issues also. The methodology of teaching is more
viable for the students to update themselves to the current trend of the
education. Parents can approach the teachers freely so that their wards will be
able to learn better.

4.3.9 CREATION OF CONDUCIVE ATMOSPHERE

This conducive atmosphere enables the students to blossom both

academically and morally to increase the competency of oneself. Regular habit
of reading is encouraged in the school library. The parents are not constrained
financially. To have a proper feedback, the children have been given the home
work.

4.3.10 EFFECTIVE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Parental guidance is the best way for a child to do well in his life both as a
student and as a good human being. This will be done better if the teachers are
consulted and the child's behaviour outside one's home, especially among the
peer group. Ultimately the parents are very happy and also proud to admit their
children in this great institution.

4.3.11 STUDENTS ALL ROUND PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT

Student's diversified nature will be amalgamated to create a better

human nature in him to make himself a self-contented individual. This happy
person will definitely will make others feel happy and thus, make this world a
better place for everyone to live happily.

4.3.12 TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS

The students have been psychologically confident of their own selves

because of the above mentioned maxims such as effective guidance and
excellent counseling because basically the teachers are very considerate and

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affectionate towards the students to such an extent that they feel that the school
is their second home.

4.3.13 INFUSION OF POSITIVE CONFIDENCE TO FACE FUTURE

The students were given the special coaching and guidance to make
them to enlighten and enhance the inborn gifts to turn them into professionals
and also effective personalities.

4.3.14 INSPIRATION TOWARDS THE CREATIVITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL

There students were inspired by teachers in a positive gesture to make

them into an effective successful individual so that they will constitute for the
growth of the glorious India which will have the future citizens as the architects of
modern India, making it to emerge as a super power in the second millennium.

4.3.15 TEACHERS PERFECTIONISM

The faculty of Petit Seminaire is perfect that they possess the best
qualities of an ideal teacher. The guidance given by the teachers is a motivating
factor in the growth of the students in spite of the fact whether they belong to any
financial and religious set-up.

4.3.16 TEACHERS EMOTIONAL COMMITMENT

Where there is emotional attachment, there will be psychological

involvement. The students are so happy to come to school and personally
attached with their teachers. This leads to a better understanding and a moral
binding bondage between the teachers and students thereby, making the
learning process a joy to face with.

4.3.17 STUDENTS INVOLVEMENT WITH THE SCHOOL

If an individual has a positive approach he or she will look into the world
with a brighter outlook which will eventually make one's life a very joyous one.
This person will definitely radiate happiness into her pupils beyond any doubt.

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Thus, the teachers of Petit Seminaire take their students to a phase of life in
which they will be transformed to the brightest lot who will face their future with
their global challenges and healthy competence.

4.4 SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS OF PETIT SEMINAIRE:

The history of the Petit Seminaire reveals that the century and a half old
institution had its humble beginning with just fifteen seminary students. At
present the strength of the higher secondary school students is more than 6000
and with that of the staff around 200. The institution had its growth gradually and
amazingly. In 1932, it was upgraded into a Matriculation and in 1978, a higher
secondary school.

Under the able and dedicated leadership of several principals the

institution has attained its marvelous development. Each principal has added
buildings and classrooms periodically. Remarkable features of the school are its
ultra modern classrooms, hygienic toilet blocks, housing colonies etc. Computer
centre was constructed in 1984 and computer training has been given to
students right from L.K.G. level.

New playground and a stadium were added in 1969. A twin basket ball
court with fire glass boards was a unique feature of the institution. A mini
dispensary with a full time doctor and a nurse under the name Petit Health
Centre was added in 2004.

Modern technical facilities like Optical Mark Reader (OMR) adorned the
office along with a printer at a cost of Rs.3.25 lakhs. OMR can value objective
type answers at a speed of 200 answers per minute.

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Specific Practices of the school:

The institution celebrated the First Parents Day in 1845.

Caste barriers were removed from 1899.

The first set of students six in number secured 100% pass in the

examination.

Salaries were increased and pension scheme introduced.

4 language formula was introduced (Tamil, English, Hindi and French)

Daily Religious and Moral instructions to students.

Salary was regularized.

Annual Excursion for staff at the management cost.

Audio Visual education.

School calendar was printed.

Daily Rhetoric classes in Tamil and English.

Central Govt. pay was paid with house rent and medical allowance.

Yearly Talent Search Competitions.

Remedial classes for slow learners.

Special coaching in Sports and Games.

Cash payment in lieu of unavailed earned and casual leaves.

Pollution Free School campus with Solid Waste Management Yard and

Rain Water Harvest Scheme.

Students published a book, Pollution in Pondicherry.

Purified Water Plant for Primary and Main campus.

155
Teachers of high acclaim:

Prof. Father Moussat compiled French Tamil Dictionary

Best Teacher Award was given to Mr. Sambavamoorthy, a staff and Mr.
Jayakumar V, a Physical Education Teacher.

Rooted in the past, the institution adopts itself to the changing societal
needs and under the eminent and dedicated principals leadership it has grown
in its quality and quantity.

4.5 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF DATA:

This sub-section deals with the quantitative analysis of data collected from
the respondents. In the quantitative analysis, the data analysis is done at two
levels descriptive and factorial.

4.5.1 DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS.

Mean, standard deviation and percentage are calculated to find out the
perception of Teachers, Parents, Students and Alumni regarding the educational
role of Petit Seminaire.

156
4.5.2 PERCEPTION OF TEACHERS

What is the perception of teachers regarding the educational role of Petit

Seminaire? To answer this question, mean, standard deviation and percentage
are calculated and presented below in a tabular column:

TABLE 4.1 Petit Seminaire Perception of Teachers

PERCENTAGE
STANDARD
MID VALUE

DEVIATION
VARIABLE

MAXIMUM
SCORE

MEAN
TEACHERS 200 100 187.50 0.43 93.75

From the above table, it is known that the teachers in general possess
positive perception regarding the educational role of Petit Seminaire as revealed
by the mean 187.5 which is far above the mid-value 100 of the maximum score
200. The percentage value calculated is 93.75. The Teachers are happy to
work in this institution. The school motivates the teachers to work in this school.
They work with full spirit here. They are satisfied working for the benefit of the
public. The Petit Seminaire, unlike other schools, organizes All India Staff Tours
for the refreshment of the staff. In Petit Seminaire, school teachers feel attached
to the students. In the school, teachers take leave only when it is necessary.
Their just demands are met by the school management. The public speaks well
of this institution. Individual recognition and freedom are given to the teachers.
Every teacher serves as a role model to the students. Teachers do prepare
daily before entering the class to teach. Teachers create a homely atmosphere
for the students in the classroom. They pay individual attention to every student.

157
They do not show partiality among students. They do use teaching aids for
effective teaching. They pay special care to slow learners for improving them.
They inculcate moral and ethical values in the learners.

The students views are respected by the teachers. They have frequent
interactions with the parents. Their aim is to help students in moulding their
future. The teachers approach reforms the students. The teachers remain
admirable personalities in the Petit Seminaire. The teachers take up the place of
a mother at the school. The teachers help the parents in solving their personal
problems. They work in harmony with their colleagues. Teachers are happy
with the environment provided for teaching in the school. The management
treats the teachers with due respect. The school management pays decent
salaries to the staff. The management invites teachers opinion in organizing co-
curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Teachers enforce innovative changes in the teaching-learning process.

They are ready to correct the erroneous behavior of the learner. They maintain
the clean environment of the school campus. The school offers the children of
teachers benefits such as fee concession, transport facilities, etc.

The school encourages the academic interaction of the teachers with the
outside experts. The teachers are given in-service training by resourceful
personalities in various fields. The innovative ideas and practices suggested by
the teachers are acknowledged and implemented in the school. The wards
establish a cordial relationship with the school. In Petit Seminaire, recognition is
given to the individual potential of the child. The child learns to respect elders.

158
4.5.3 PERCEPTION OF PARENTS

To find out the perception of Parents regarding the educational role of

Petit Seminaire, mean, standard deviation and percentage scores are calculated
and are presented below in a tabular form:

TABLE 4.2 Petit Seminaire Perception of Parents

PERCENTAGE
STANDARD
DEVIATION
MID VALUE
VARIABLE

MAXIMUM
SCORE

MEAN
PARENTS 175 87.5 155.98 0.37 89.13

From the table, it is understood that the parents have positive perception
regarding the educational role and functions of Petit Seminaire as revealed by
the mean value 155.98 which is far above the mid-value 87.5 of the maximum
score of 175. The percentage value calculated is 89.13.The Petit Seminaire Hr.
Sec. School is a pioneer institution among schools in Pondicherry. Importance
is given here to behavior and moral values. The teaching-learning process is
effective in Petit Seminaire. Tests and examinations are regularly conducted
here. The school focuses on the overall development of the individuals.
Psychological approach is adopted for the overall development of the students.
The school library helps in inculcating the habit of reading in students. Beyond
school hours education imparted by Petit Seminaire is life-oriented. The school
makes provisions for extra-curricular activities to develop the individuality of each
student. The parents are satisfied with the teaching followed in this school.

159
 The parents are given due respect here. The parents are satisfied with
the fee-structure in the school. Proper basic amenities are provided here. In
Petit Seminaire, parents have easy access towards the subject teachers. The
home works are regularly given to the children. Discipline is the main criterion of
this school. The students are happy to come to school. The school changes
the childs attitude. Here, the boy is sufficiently motivated in his studies. The
parents take pride in admitting their wards in this institution. The child relates to
the parents at home everything that has taken place in the school. The parent-
teacher meeting is fruitful at this school. The school brings cordial relationship
between the parents and the teachers. The Computer Education is imparted to
the students at all levels. The childs conversation skills in English have
developed after his joining in this school.

Petit Seminaire gives skill-based education to the children. The timings

for the school are convenient for the students from the kindergarten level. Petit
Seminaire maintains its name and fame forever. Education in Petit Seminaire
illuminates the life of the children. The school transforms the society around.
Education through this school gives children a bright future. Learning in Petit
Seminaire is an active participation on the part of the learners. The classroom
atmosphere here is congenial to the students. The methodology of teaching and
the way of approach of the teacher is conducive to the students growth. The
children become knowledgeable here.

160
4.5.4 PERCEPTION OF STUDENTS

To find out the perception of Students regarding the educational role of

Petit Seminaire, mean, standard deviation and percentage are calculated and
are presented below in a tabular form:

TABLE 4.3 Petit Seminaire Perception of Students

PERCENTAGE
STANDARD
MID VALUE

DEVIATION
VARIABLE

MAXIMUM
SCORE

MEAN

STUDENTS 250 125 181.10 0.35 72.44

From the above table, it is inferred that the students possess positive
perception regarding the educational functions of Petit Seminaire which is
testified by the calculated mean value 181.1 which is far above the mid-value of
125 of the maximum score 250. The students like their institution. They are
proud to be a student of this institution. In Petit Seminaire, the students involve
themselves in extra-curricular activities apart from the academic activities. They
do participate in the inter-school competitions. They take tests and examinations
seriously. They are able to follow my lessons taught in the class. In this school,
the teachers are approachable whenever they have doubts in their subjects.
They are able to do their homework on their own because of the good instruction
given in the school. The school provides opportunities for greater participation of
students in sports and games. The students obey the rules and regulations of
the school to ensure school effectiveness. The school provides opportunities for

161
developing friendship. In Petit Seminaire, teachers are considerate and
affectionate to the students. The teacher makes the subjects interesting to them.

When they are punished they take it well as a corrective measure. In the
school, library contains a number of books in various subjects. They like to read
books in the library. The school shows the students proper direction in their
overall academic growth. The teachers provide a role-model to the students.
The school and the teachers provide excellent guidance and counselling
services whenever the students are in need. In the school, they are well-trained
for their practical examinations as the school has got a well-equipped laboratory.
They are able to score full marks in their practical examinations due to good
instructions given in this school. The teachers here, are just and impartial in
dealing with the students.

The teachers always pay individual attention to them. The students are
allowed to ask any doubts both academically as well as personally. They have
confidence in their teacher that the teacher will take care of their overall
development. They always get their answer sheets corrected at the stipulated
time. They have marks what they are due for, in their answer sheets. The
students have been treated equally well irrespective of their social status. The
teachers help them to bring out their hidden talents. The students have their
teacher who absorb their inborn gifts and informs their parents to educate them
in the line of their own interest. They have been offered special coaching
classes in order to train themselves for competitive exams. They find it easy to
face their competitive exams as they have been given adequate practices in this
school.

The students are really proud of their professional coaching classes as it

is conducted by lecturers both from medical and engineering colleges. They are
happy with the infra-structure of the school. They find the school congenial to
move around. The play ground in the school is the largest in the town. They are
happy to play there during the games period. The students are happy that every
year, the school takes the students for field trips to far off places. They are
decisive about their future as effective career guidance is given by relevant

162
personalities from various career fields. They have their creativity brought out
well as their teacher encourages them to participate in various competitions.
The students get inspired to do well in new arenas like music, dance and
elocution competitions as every year the school conducts talent search
competitions every year. They are encouraged to participate in the various
sports activities also. They are happy that their school is recognized as the best
school everywhere.

The students are also happy that their students are placed in many
prestigious institutions in India as well as abroad. . Education in Petit Seminaire
is a joyful process. Classroom learning is an element of fun and excitement to
the learners. The students understand the concepts and rules taught in the
class. The children have improved in their behavior compared to what they were
before. Apart from the physical and mental growth, the school concentrates on
the spiritual growth of the child.

163
4.5.5 PERCEPTION OF ALUMNI

To find out the perception of Alumni regarding the educational role of Petit
Seminaire, mean, standard deviation and percentage are calculated and are
presented below in a tabular form:

TABLE 4.4 Petit Seminaire Perception of Alumni

PERCENTAGE
STANDARD
DEVIATION
MID VALUE
VARIABLE

MAXIMUM
SCORE

MEAN

ALUMNI 130 65 115.98 0.39 89.22

From the above table, it is known that the alumni in general possess
positive perception regarding the educational role of Petit Seminaire as revealed
by the mean of 115.98 which is far above the mid-value of 65 of the maximum of
130. The alumni feel proud to be an old student of the Petit Seminaire. They are
content with the education imparted by the Petit Seminaire to them. The
education, here has helped them a lot for the upliftment of their career. They are
happy with the methodology adopted by the teachers. Their school taught them
a positive attitude. Their time in the school was a memory of joy. Education in
the Petit Seminaire aims not only on the subject taught but mainly on the student
taught. They feel happy when they see their teachers now. The Petit Seminaire
has given them the confidence to face their life well.

164
 The Alumni Association functions well for the welfare of the school. They
feel indebted to their school, which has laid the right foundation for their growth.
Appreciation from the teachers improved the childrens development. Teachers
were instrumental for the upliftment of the students. Self-discipline was insisted
on the students. The students misbehavior was mended by the teachers.
Teachers did not entertain favoritism with the students. They have emotional
attachment with their school. The alumni would like to attend the Alumni
meetings conducted in their school. They feel that their wards should study in
the same school only. They are prepared to lend any helping hand to enable the
school attain its motto. This serves as a platform to share their experience with
the present learners and teachers by organizing special lectures.

The career guidance given by the school has helped a lot in shaping their
present career. The professional coaching classes, which were conducted by
the school, have really helped them to face their competitive exams well. They
were encouraged to participate in exhibiting their talents in various fields. The
Physical Education Masters and coaches aroused a wide interest in them in the
sports. They have given good recognition outside as an old student of this
school.

4.6 FACTOR ANALYSIS

In the present study, an attempt is made to apply the factor analysis for
the data obtained from the teachers, parents, students and alumni. Factor
Analysis is a technique that aims at analyzing the interrelationships among the
items in the questionnaire in such a way that the items can be described by a
group of basic categories which are smaller in number. These basic categories,
otherwise called Factors are referred by coordinates that geometrically define
the location of the each item with respect to every other item. In Factor Analysis,
Principal Component Analysis is widely employed by the researchers because of
its simplicity.

165
Principal Component Analysis

Principal Component Analysis is concerned with the total variance of a

variable. Hence, all variance is treated as common variance and it does not
discriminate between and unique variance. The analysis describes the
interrelationship among the variables, transforming those variables into basic
components. In Principal Component Analysis, the components are always
equal to the number of items. But in practical sense, the researchers retain only
the first few components, those accounting for most of the variance for the items
in the questionnaire. The components emerging from Principal Component
Analysis represent a combination of common, specific random error variance.
While, the first few components represent mostly common vector variance, the
remaining components are primarily random error in nature. It is also noted that
the Principal Components are independent to one another. The factors or
components are extracted in the decreasing order of importance in terms of the
amount of variance associated with each component. The first component
accounts for the largest proportion of variance among the items, the second
component for the second largest proportion which is independent of the first
component and so on. Corresponding to each of these components is a series
of loadings. The size of the loadings gives an idea about the contribution that
the item makes to each component. As the factors are extracted in the
decreasing order of importance, it follows that the sum of the loading will be
higher for the first factor than that of the next extracted factor and so on.

In Factor Analysis, Eigen value represents the equality of the sum of the
squared factor loadings for factor over all times. The Eigen value of the first
extracted component is always greater than the Eigen value of the second
extracted component. The Eigen value of the second extracted component is
higher than the Eigen value of the third extracted component and so on.

166
Perception of Teachers about Petit Seminaire: Extraction of Factors

In the present study, Principal Component Analysis is employed based on

the analysis carried out with the help of SPSS Package. Principal Component
Analysis is based on the analysis of Correlation Matrix. In the present study,
based on 40 items, a correlation matrix was constructed.

Based on the Correlation Matrix, extraction of factors was done. Among

different extraction methods, the Principal Axes Technique was used. In the
present study, the Principal Axes Technique has led to the extraction of 18
factors. The extracted, unrotated factor matrix is presented in the following
table:

167
 The numerical values given in the table represent the factor loading of
each item. A factor loading indicates the correlation between an item and the
factor. The greater the absolute factor loading, the stronger is the relationship
between the respective factor and the item. Thus, a factor loading is analogous
to a correlation coefficient for just as a large correlation indicates a strong
relationship, a larger factor loading means that the item is the strong definer of
the factor.

In Principal Component Analysis, a factor loading of 0.4 and above is

taken as a significant factor loading. According to Thurstone (1947), A
projection of factor loading of 0.20 accounts for only 4 percent of the total
variance of a test. We are not regarding projection as significant in naming a
factor unless it is as large as 0.4. Therefore, in the present study, factor
loadings of 0.4 and above are taken up for the interpretation and naming the
factors.

In the present study, 18 significant unrotated factors are extracted by

applying Principal Component Analysis. From the matrix, the first factor has 7
significant factor loadings. The second unroated factor has 4 significant factor
loadings. The third unroated factor has 5 significant loadings.

Rotation of Factors

The next step in factor analysis is to rotate the extracted factors. The
purpose of rotation is to define a separate dimension and to create a factor
matrix that is meaningful and interpretable. The rotation is made to delineate the
factors so that they correspond to the clusters of interrelated items (Zeller and
Carmines, 1980).

Among different rotation techniques, Varimax rotation was employed in

the present study. The Varimax rotation is a mathematical procedure designed
to rotate the extracted factors in such a way as to give meaningful interpretation
to the factors. The rotated component matrix which was constructed through
Varimax rotation is presented in the following table:

174
 From the table, it is found that the first component describes 6.6
percentage of variance with 2.62 Eigen value. It is also found that the item
numbers 1 and 2 have clustered with the first factor. The second factor accounts
for 5.3 percentage of variance with an Eigen value of 2.12. Regarding third
factor, items number 13 and 19 have clustered with this factor. The percentage
of variance is computed to 5.2 with an Eigen value of 2.06. It is maintained that
the rest of the factors are not considered to be significant factors. For the
interpretation of factors, only those factors having higher percentage of variance
that is accounting for most the variance of the variables are considered. In the
present study, the first three factors are considered as significant factors of
interpretation. The remaining 15 factors are not considered as significant factors
as they are random error in nature.

Naming the Significant Factors

In naming the factors, a projection of factor loading 0.4 and above are
taken as significant items. The first significant factor along with the items and
factor loadings is presented below:

181
Table No. 4.7 Perception of Teachers : Factor I: Items and Factor
Loadings

S.NO. ITEM NO. STATEMENT LOADING

The school motivates the teachers to

1 2 0.94586
work in the school.

Teachers are happy to work in this

2 1 institution. 0.94116

In factor 1, there are only two significant items. The factor loadings of the
two items are above 0.9. It is maintained that Petit Seminaire is an institution
motivating the teachers to work for the students as well as for the development
of the school. This school realizes the importance of human relations approach
and takes all possible measures which are teacher as well as student-oriented.
The statements contained in the above table describe the humane approach
followed by Petit Seminaire in developing human potentials of teachers.
Therefore, this factor is named as CONGENIAL ORGANIZATIONAL
CLIMATE.

The second significant factor along with the items of factor loadings is
given below in a table of column.

182
Table No. 4.8 Perception of Teachers : Factor II: Items and Factor
Loadings

LOADING
S.NO. ITEM NO. STATEMENT

Teachers maintain the clean environment of

0.90125
1 33 the school campus.

The school offers the children of teachers

benefits such as fee concession, transport 0.85003
2 34
facilities, etc.

Factor II consists of two significant items. The item number 33 has the
highest projection of 0.90 followed by item number 24 with the projection of 0.85.
The teachers of Petit Seminaire maintain clean environment in the school. The
school offers the children of benefits such as fee concession, transport facilities
etc. Here, the teachers work for the development of Petit Seminaire and they
are loyal to the institution. Because of their loyalty, the school extends all
benefits for the teachers. There is a common element running through the two
statements and this is named as TEACHER COMMITMENT.

The third significant factor along with the items and factor loadings is
presented below in a tabular form:

183
Table No. 4.9 Perception of Teachers : Factor III: Items and Factor
Loadings

S.NO. ITEM NO. STATEMENT LOADING

1 19 The students views are respected by the 0.75018

teachers.

2 13 Teachers create a homely atmosphere for the 0.73819

students in the classroom

Factor III consists of two significant items. The item number 19 has the
factor loading of 0.75 followed by the item number 13 with the projection of 0.73.
This factor contributes 5.2 percentage of variance with an Eigen value of 2.06.
The teachers maintained that in Petit Seminaire, the students views are
respected by the teachers. The teachers create a homely atmosphere for the
students in the class-room. The above two statements indicate the efforts taken
for the benefit of students. Therefore, this factor is termed as POSITIVE
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT.

184
Perception of Parents about Petit Seminaire: Extraction of Factors

In the present study, Principal Component Analysis is carried out with the
help of SPSS Package. Principal Component Analysis is based on the analysis
of Correlation Matrix. In the present study, based on 35 items, a correlation
matrix was constructed.

Based on the Correlation Matrix, extraction of factor was done. Among

different extraction methods, the Principal Axes Technique was used. In the
present study, the Principal Axes Technique has led to the extraction of 13
factors. The extracted and unrotated factor matrix is presented in the following
table:

185
 In order to arrive at meaningful conclusion, the unrotated factors are
rotated through Varimax Rotation. The rotated component matrix is presented
in the following table:

189
 From the table, it is found that the first component describes 10.2
percentage of variance with an Eigen value of 3.57. The item numbers 18, 11,
10, 19 and 26 have clustered with the first factor. The second factor accounts
for 8.4 percentage of variance with an Eigen value of 2.95. The item numbers
35, 32, 34 and 14 have clustered with this factor. With regard to third factor, the
item numbers 17, 12, 7 and 15 have clustered with it. The third factor accounts
for 7.1 percentage of variance with an Eigen value of 2.47. It is construed that
the remaining factors are not significant factors for interpretation.

Naming the Significant Factors

The first significant factor along with the items and factor loadings is
presented below:

193
Table 4.12 : Perception of Parents : Factor I: Items and Factor
Loadings:

S.NO. ITEM NO. STATEMENT LOADING

1 18 The school changes the childs attitude. 0.72

2 11 The parents are given due respect here. 0.67

The parents are satisfied with the teaching

3 10 0.62
followed in this school.

Here, the boy is sufficiently motivated in his

4 19 0.54
studies.

Petit Seminaire gives skill-based education

5 26 0.49
to the children.

In Factor I, there are altogether five significant items. The item number
18 has the highest projection of 0.72 followed by the item number 11 with the
projection of 0.67. The item number 10 has a factor loading of 0.62 followed by
the item number 19 with the projection of 0.54. The item number 26 has the
projection of 0.49. The parents perceive the positive role of Petit Seminaire in
moulding the character of students. According to the parents, the school is
taking efforts in developing the right attitude of learners. The parents are given
due respect in Petit Seminaire and therefore, they are satisfied with the
educational activities of the school. The parents maintain that the learners are
motivated in their studies and skill based education is provided to the children by
the Petit Seminaire. All the five statements presented in the table describe the
activities of Petit Seminaire in shaping or moulding the characters of learners.
Therefore, the first factor is termed as LEARNER CHARACTER BUILDING.

194
 The second significant factor along with the items and factor loadings is
given below in a tabular column:

Table 4.13 Perception of Parents : Factor II: Items and Factor

Loadings:

S.NO. ITEM NO. STATEMENT LOADING

1 35 Children become knowledgeable here. 0.80

Learning in Petit Seminaire is an active

2 32 0.64
participation on the part of the learners.

The methodology of teaching and the way

3 34 of approach of the teacher is conducive to 0.62
the students growth.

In Petit Seminaire, parents have easy

4 14 0.42
access towards the subject teachers.

In Factor II, the item number 35 has the highest projection of 0.8
followed by the item number 32 has the projection of 0.64. The item number 34
indicates a factor loading of 0.62 while the item number 14 indicates a factor
loading of 0.42.

The teachers are not only interested in the subject matter, but they give

importance to the global issues also. The methodology of teaching is more viable

for the students to update themselves to the current trend of the education.

Parents can approach the teachers freely so that their wards will be able to learn

better. All the four statements indicate the positive educative pattern followed by

Petit Seminaire in the skilled development of learners. Hence, this factor is

labelled as SKILLED EDUCATIVE PATTERN.

195
 The third significant factor along with the items and loading is presented

below in a tabular form:

Table 4.14 Perception of Parents : Factor III: Items and Factor

Loadings:

S.NO. ITEM NO. STATEMENT LOADING

1 17 Students are happy to come to school. 0.75

The parents are satisfied with the fee

2 12 0.75
structure in the school.

The school library helps in inculcating the

3 7 0.62
habit of reading in students.

Homework is regularly given here to the

4 15 0.48
children.

In Factor III both the item numbers 17 and 12 have the same significant

factor loading (0.75) followed by the item number 7 which has the projection of

0.62. The item number 15 has a factor loading of 0.48. In Petit Seminaire, the

students find pleasure in coming to school. The fee structure prescribed by the

school is justified. The school library promotes the habit of reading among the

learners. In Petit Seminaire assigning home work to the children is the regular

feature. There is a common element running in the four statements and this is

labelled as STAKEHOLDER SATISFACTION.

196
Perception of Students about Petit Seminaire: Extraction of Factors

Regarding the Perception of Students about Petit Seminaire, 14

unroated factors are extracted based on Correlation Matrix. The extracted and
unrotated factor matrix is presented in the following table:

197
 The unroated factor matrix yielded altogether put in 14 factors and to
ensure the significance of unroatated factors, rotated matrix is arrived at. The
following table shows the rotated factor structure:

202
 From the table, it is found that the first factor contributes 14.7 percentage
of variance with an Eigen value of 7.33. In this factor, 8 items are significant. In
the second factor, 8 items have the projection above 0.75. It contributes 11.4
percentage of variance with an Eigen value of 5.72. The third factor contributes
9.6 percentage of variance with an Eigen value of 4.78. Here 7 items are
significant. The remaining 11 factors are not considered for interpretation.

Naming the Factors:

The first significant factor along with the items and factor loadings is
presented below:

Table 4.17: Perception of Students : Factor I: Items and Factor Loadings:

S.NO. ITEM NO. STATEMENT LOADING

1 1 I like my institution. 0.743

2 16 I like to read books in the library. 0.698

The students understand the concepts and

3 48 0.679
rules taught in the class.

I am really proud about my professional

coaching classes as it is conducted by
4 34 0.628
lecturers both from Medical and Engineering
colleges.

I am encouraged to participate in the various

5 43 0.452
sports activities.

Teachers always pay individual attention to

6 23 0.451
me.

207
 In this factor, 6 items have significant factor loadings. While the item
number 1 has the factor loading of 0.743, the last item number 23 has the factor
loading of 0.451. The students expressed satisfaction regarding the functioning
of Petit Seminaire. The school provides excellent curricular and co-curricular
activities to enrich the knowledge of students. Organizing various special
programmes for the benefit of the students is the major characteristic of Petit
Seminaire. Hence, this factor is labelled as QUALITY CURRICULAR AND
CO-CURRICULAR COACHING.

The second significant factor along with the items and factor loadings is
presented below:

Table 4.18 : Perception of Students : Factor II: Items and Factor

Loadings:

S.NO. ITEM NO. STATEMENT LOADING

I always get my answer sheets corrected at

1 26 0.587
the stipulated time.

I do participate in the inter-school

2 4 0.564
competitions.

Apart from the physical and mental growth, the

3 50 school concentrates on the spiritual growth of 0.535
the child.

The students understand the concepts and

4 48 0.526
rules taught in the class.

I am happy with the infra-structure of the

5 35 0.509
school.

6 1 I like my institution. 0.475

208
 Factor II consists of 6 significant items. The item number 26 has the
projection of 0.587 followed by item number 4 with the projection of 0.564. The
last item (item no. 1) has the projection of 0.475. There is a common factor
running in the 6 items. This factor is termed as CONCERN OVER CHILDS
ALLROUND DEVELOPMENT.

The third significant factor along with the items and factor loadings is
presented below:

209
Table 4.19 : Perception of Students : Factor III: Items and Factor
Loadings:

ITEM
S.NO. STATEMENT LOADING
NO.

In this school, I involved myself in extra-

1 3 curricular activities apart from the academic 0.633
activities.
I always get my answer sheets corrected at
2 26 0.62
the stipulated time.
I am also happy that our students are
3 45 placed in many prestigious institutions in 0.594
India as well as abroad.
I am happy that my school is recognized as
4 44 0.566
the best school in everywhere.
I have been treated equally well
5 28 0.513
irrespective of my social status.

6 16 I like to read books in the library. 0.486

I am encouraged to participate in the

7 43 0.469
various sports activities.
In the school, Library contains a number of
8 15 0.469
books in various subjects.
The children have been improved in their
9 49 behavior compare to what they were 0.429
before.
I am happy to play during the games
10 38 0.429
period.
I am able to score full marks in my practical
11 21 examinations due to good instructions 0.429
given in this school.
I am happy that every year, my school
12 39 0.429
takes us to field trips to far off places.
I am really proud about my professional
coaching classes as it is conducted by
13 34 0.414
lecturers both from Medical and
Engineering colleges.
I have confidence in my teacher that my
14 25 teacher will take care of my overall 0.414
development.
Teachers here, are just and impartial in
15 22 0.414
dealing with me.

210
 Factor III consists of 15 significant items. The factor loading ranges
from 0.633 (item no. 3) to 0.414 (item nos. 34, 25 and 22). Taking into account
the commonality of the above items, this factor is known as TREATMENT FOR
INDIVIDUALITY AND CREATIVITY.

Perception of Alumni about Petit Seminaire:- Extraction of Factors

Based on Correlation Matrix extraction factor was done by using Principal

Axes Technique. This yielded 10 factors. The extracted and unrotated factor
matrix is presented in the following table:

211
 In order to arrive at meaning conclusions, the obtained factors were
rotated with the help of Varimax Rotation. The rotated matrix is presented
below:

214
 From the table, it is found that the first component describes 12.3
percentage of variance. The item numbers 23, 13, 15, 26 and 9 have clustered
with this factor. The Eigen value calculated for this factor is 3.19. The second
factor accounts for 10.7 percentage of variance with an Eigen value of 2.79. The
item numbers 17, 19 and 25 have clustered with this factor. The third factor
accounts for 9.0 percentage of variance with an Eigen value of 2.35. The item
numbers 9, 21, 11 and 8 have clustered with this factor. The remaining 7 factors
are not considered as significant factors for interpretation.

Naming the Significant Factors:

The first factor along with the items and factor loadings is given below for
interpretation:

Table 4.22 : Perception of Alumni : Factor I: Items and Factor Loadings

S.NO. ITEM NO. STATEMENT LOADING

The career guidance given by my school has

1 22 0.77
helped a lot in shaping my present career.

Teachers were instrumental for the upliftment

2 13 0.75
of the students.

Students' misbehaviour were mended by the

3 15 0.70
teachers.

I am given good recognition outside as an old

4 26 0.51
student of this school.

The Petit Seminaire has given me the

5 9 0.47
confidence to face my life well.

Teachers did not entertain favouritism with

6 16 0.42
the students.

217
 In Factor I, there are 6 significant items. The item number 22 has the
highest projection of 0.77 and the item number 16 has the lowest projection of
0.42. According to the alumni, the career guidance given by Petit Seminaire has
helped them a lot in shaping their present career. Here, the teachers are
instrumental for the upliftment of the students. The behavior of students is
monitored by the teachers and necessary guidance and counseling are given
every now and then. The old students of Petit Seminaire are being recognized in
the society. The Petit Seminaire has given the alumni the confidence to face
their life well. The teachers in Petit Seminaire never allow favoritism in any form.
All the items in this factor point out teacher perfectionism. Hence, this factor is
labelled as TEACHER PERFECTIONISM

The second significant factor along with the items and factor loadings is
given below in a tabular form:

Table 4.23 : Perception of Alumni : Factor II: Items and Factor

Loadings:

S.NO. ITEM NO. STATEMENT LOADING

I have emotional attachment with my

1 17 0.86
school.

I feel that my wards should study in the

2 19 0.55
same school only.

Our Physical Education Masters and

3 25 Coaches aroused a wide interest in the 0.49
sports.

218
 Factor II consists of 3 significant items. The item number 17 has the
highest projection of 0.86 followed by the item number 19 with the projection of
0.55. The item number 25 has the projection of 0.49. Teachers play a
significant role in shaping the personality of learners. They serve as role models
to their students. They have emotional attachment and greater level of
psychological involvement. This paves the way for the students regularity to the
school. This leads to a better understanding and a moral binding bondage
between the teachers and student thereby, making the learning process a joy to
face with. This factor is termed as TEACHER EMOTIONAL COMMITMENT.

The third significant factor along with the items and factor loadings is
given below in a tabular column:

Table 4.24 : Perception of Alumni :Factor III: Items and Factor Loadings:

S.NO. ITEM NO. STATEMENT LOADING

This serves as a platform to share my

1 21 experiences with the present learners and 0.80
teachers by organizing special lectures.

I feel indebted to my school, which has laid

2 11 0.68
the right foundation for our growth.

3 8 I feel happy when I see my teachers now. 0.49

The Petit Seminaire has given me the

4 9 0.42
confidence to face my life well.

219
 The third factor has 4 significant items. The item number 21 has the
highest projection of 0.80 followed by the item number 11 with the projection of
0.68. While the item number 8 has the factor loading of 0.49, the item number 9
has a significant loading of 0.42. The alumni of Petit Seminaire have greater
level of commitment and loyalty towards Petit Seminaire. According to the
alumni, it is the Petit Seminaire which laid the foundation for their life and career.
They are highly grateful to Petit Seminaire for making significant contribution to
the student community. There is a common element running through the four
statements in this factor. This is termed as ALUMNI ORGANISATIONAL
COMMITMENT.

220
 The following table give details regarding the significant factors identified
based by the application of factor analysis.

Table 4.26 A Glimpse of Significant Factors :

S. No. Category Factor

a) Congenial Organisational Climate

1 Teachers b) Teacher Commitment
c) Positive Student Development
a) Learner Character Building
2 Parents b) Skilled Educative Patterns
c) Stakeholder Satisfaction
a) Quality Curricular and co-curricular Coaching
b) Schools concern over the childs allround
3 Students
development
c) Treatment for Individuality and Creativity
a) Teacher Perfectionism
4 Alumni b) Teacher Emotional Commitment
c) Alumni Organisational Commitment

4.7 RESULTS OF HYPOTHESES-TESTING:

In the present study altogether, 10 hypotheses are formulated for testing.

The results of hypotheses testing are presented below:

Major Hypothesis: The Petit Seminaire has made a major contribution to

education in the Pondicherry region.

The qualitative analysis reveals that the Petit Seminaire has made
significant contribution to society in general and education in particular. Hence
the hypothesis is retained.

221
Specific Hypothesis 1: The MEP fathers played a significant role in bringing
out desirable socio-economic developments in the Pondicherry region.

The qualitative analysis reveals that the MEP fathers through their
missionary activities in general and educational activities in particular, took pains
and in ameliorating the socio-economic status of the illiterate poor in the
Pondicherry region. As a result of the initiative taken by the MEP fathers, there
was a growth of the economic life of the people in Pondicherry area. Therefore,
the hypothesis is retained.

Specific Hypothesis 2: To a greater extent, the MEP fathers involved in the

educational pursuit in the Pondicherry region.

The application of qualitative analysis reveals that the MEP fathers in

Pondicherry region realized the importance of education as an agency of social
change. The MEP fathers believed that education alone could contribute to the
development of the society. Hence, they began to organize educational
programmes for the benefit of the needy. The hypothesis, therefore, is retained.

Specific Hypothesis 3: The MEP fathers had clear vision and goal for
establishing Petit Seminaire in the Pondicherry region.

The qualitative analysis indicates that the MEP fathers had clearly defined
the role and responsibilities of Petit Seminaire in bringing out the desirable
changes in the society. They had clear vision about the role of Petit Seminaire
as a school in effecting modernization. In this context, the formulated hypothesis
is retained.

Specific Hypothesis 4: The Petit Seminaire organized definite and

purposeful educational programmes in the Pondicherry region for the benefit of
the downtrodden people in the society.

The qualitative analysis reveals that the Petit Seminaire imparted

instructions in Latin, Tamil, French, English, Mathematics, Physics, Astrology,

222
History and Geography. The MEP fathers realized the importance of all these
programmes in the life of humanity. These subjects were highly respected in
those days. The formulated hypothesis is accepted as in the previous cases.

Specific Hypothesis 5: The Petit Seminaire had brought out significant socio-
economic changes in the Pondicherry region through education.

To test this hypothesis, qualitative analysis was done. The results

indicate the positive role played by the same Petit Seminaire in bringing out
socio-economic changes in the Pondicherry region through education. In this
area, it was the Petit Seminaire which opened the doors of education
irrespective of caste, creed and colour. This school never showed religious
discrimination in the admission policy. Students of all faiths were admitted to this
school. Special attention was shown towards the education of the downtrodden.
Taking into consideration, the positive role played by the Petit Seminaire in
bringing out desirable social changes in Pondicherry region, the hypothesis is
accepted.

Specific Hypothesis 6: The parents have positive perception regarding the

educational activities of Petit Seminaire.

To test this hypothesis, descriptive analysis and factor analysis are sorted
to. The calculated mean value 155.98 which is far above the mid-value 87.5
indicates the positive role played by the Petit Seminaire in the eyes of the
parents. The application of factor analysis reveals the identification of 3 factors
based on the perception scores of the parents. The factors namely ; Learner
Character Building, Skilled Educative Patterns and Stakeholder Satisfaction.
The 3 factors testify the positive role of Petit Seminaire. Hence, the hypothesis
is retained.

Specific Hypothesis 7: The perception of the teachers working in the Petit

Seminaire is positive regarding its educational activities.

223
 To test this hypothesis, mean value is calculated. The calculated mean
value ,187.5 out of the maximum score 200 reveals the positive role of the Petit
Seminaire in carrying out its educational activities. The Principal Component
Analysis also substantiates the positive perception of teachers about the
educational roles of Petit Seminaire. Therefore, the hypothesis is accepted.

Specific Hypothesis 8: The present students perceive the positive role of

Petit Seminaire regarding its educational functions.

To test this hypothesis, the mean value is computed. It is found that the
calculated mean value 181.1 which is far above the mid value 125 of the
maximum score of 250 indicates the positive role of Petit Seminaire in its
educational pursuit. The identification of factors also testified the positive role of
Petit Seminaire. Hence, the hypothesis is accepted.

Specific Hypothesis 9: The perception of the alumni of Petit Seminaire

regarding its educational activities and achievements is positive and significant.

The calculated mean 115.98 out of the maximum score of 130 shows the
positive perception of alumni regarding the educational activities and
achievements of Petit Seminaire. The identification of factors such as Teacher
Perfectionism, Teacher Emotional Commitment and Alumni Organisational
Commitment indicate the positive role of Petit Seminaire in Education.
Therefore, the hypothesis is accepted.

Thus, it is found that all the formulated hypotheses are accepted in the
present study.

4.8 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS:

The present study reveals the significant contribution made by the MEP
fathers to the cause of education through Petit Seminaire; the MEP fathers
visualized socio-economic changes in the Pondicherry region. Before the advent
of MEP missionary, the Pondicherry region was engulfed with superstitious belief

224
and there was a lack of educational and social awareness. It was the MEP
fathers who took primary interest in organizing educational programmes for the
benefit of the poor people. This finding is in conformity with the findings of
Naidu (1973), Das (1973), Karmali (1975), Vyas (1975), Sarkar (1979)
Kuzhipalli (1981), Eapen (1981), Vedanayagam (1982), Jayalakshmi (1989),
Banker, Mark (1983) and Pushpa Ranjitham (2008). All these studies indicate
that the Christian missionaries were in the forefront in organizing educational
programmes for the benefit of the poor.

The Petit Seminaire is one such school established by the MEP fathers to
strengthen the socio-economic base of the people of the local region. Before the
advent of MEP missionary education was the birth right of the top class people in
the society. Hence, education was denied to the other sections of the
population. It was the British who opened the doors of education in India
irrespective of caste, creed and colour. The Christian missionaries in general
and the MEP fathers in particular took the lead in the pursuit of education. Many
educational institutions were established and as a result, the socio-economic life
of the local people blossomed. It is pointed out here that it was the Petit
Seminaire which took the lead in organizing educational programmes in the
Pondicherry region through the services rendered by the MEP missionary. The
MEP missionary organized educational programmes in the Pondicherry region
even before the initiative of other missionaries. Therefore, the present
educational development in the Pondicherry region is largely attributed to the
Petit Seminaire which took a major lead in its educational initiative. As a result
of the initiation of Petit Seminaire and its liberalized educational policy, the lower
sections of the Indian populace entered the portals of education. Thus, began
the social transformation in the Pondicherry region.

The MEP fathers underscored the importance of equality of educational

opportunity. Equality of educational opportunity is enshrined in the Indian
Constituency. Article 14, 15 and 16 explained the need for equality in all aspects
of human life. But this concept was practised long back by the MEP fathers who
provided educational opportunities to all irrespective of caste and religion. The

225
MEP fathers set an example to the other Christian missionaries in providing
educational opportunities to all.

The Christian missionaries in general and the MEP fathers in particular,

played a significant role in shaping the modern Pondicherry. Now, there are
innumerable schools, colleges and technical institutions. It is argued that the
Petit Seminaire undoubtedly, has been playing a crucial role in the growth and
development of education in the Pondicherry region. Petit Seminaire has
produced a galaxy of experts in Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science,
Basic and Life Sciences and Humanities. The alumni of Petit Seminaire occupy
the highest positions in administration and education. Because of these
reasons, the parents in Pondicherry region preferred Petit Seminaire for the
admission of their wards. The positive perception of Teachers, Parents,
Students and Alumni testified the significant contribution of Petit Seminaire to the
cause of education. True to its dictum, Petit Seminaire aims at striving for
quality, discipline, integrity, equality, charity and academic excellence.

4.9 CONCLUSION:

The present study reveals the significant contribution made by Petit

Seminaire to the cause of education from its inception till date. It was the first
institution which ventured educational pursuit in the coastal region of
Pondicherry followed by other missionaries. The perception of Parents,
Teachers, Students and Alumni revealed the positive role of Petit Seminaire in
its educational activities. The application of Principal Component Analysis also
points out the positive contribution made by Petit Seminaire to the cause of
education to the Pondicherry region. Having arrived at the above major
conclusions, an attempt is made to summarize the entire research study with
conclusions and suggestions. This is precisely discussed in the next chapter.

226
 Table 4.5 Perception of Teachers about Petit Seminaire
Unrotated Factor Matrix

Sl. No. Item Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Factor 4 Factor 5 Factor 6 Factor 7 Factor 8 Factor 9 Factor 10 Sl. No.

1 34 0.701 0.301 0.344 0.014 -0.007 0.006 -0.023 -0.064 0.039 -0.042 1
2 33 0.606 0.162 0.479 0.121 0.006 0.141 -0.058 0.061 -0.060 -0.165 2
3 8 0.505 0.289 0.156 0.199 0.114 -0.119 -0.033 0.258 0.067 0.092 3
4 25 0.439 0.090 -0.056 -0.157 -0.074 0.129 0.096 -0.032 -0.115 0.075 4
5 26 0.412 0.163 0.140 -0.039 0.256 -0.368 -0.172 -0.218 0.082 0.214 5
6 1 -0.477 0.565 0.418 0.022 -0.254 0.066 -0.163 0.033 0.000 0.107 6
7 2 -0.522 0.532 0.461 0.027 -0.235 0.081 -0.148 0.091 0.007 0.148 7
8 16 -0.039 -0.520 0.516 -0.025 0.095 0.035 0.169 0.146 -0.045 0.162 8
9 29 -0.041 -0.367 0.215 0.336 0.132 -0.096 -0.011 -0.157 0.052 0.025 9
10 15 0.025 -0.454 0.652 -0.030 0.060 0.151 0.091 0.158 -0.144 0.076 10
11 35 -0.025 -0.338 0.339 -0.119 -0.150 0.177 0.107 0.109 -0.109 0.096 11
12 38 0.047 -0.056 -0.200 0.534 -0.156 0.297 -0.011 0.091 0.353 0.041 12
13 10 -0.086 0.050 -0.108 -0.445 0.006 0.238 0.149 0.210 0.047 -0.244 13
14 17 0.044 0.240 0.115 -0.398 -0.110 -0.003 0.158 -0.223 -0.115 -0.356 14
15 23 -0.078 0.292 -0.029 -0.398 -0.087 -0.025 0.138 0.243 0.149 -0.072 15

(Table Contd..)
168
Unrotated Factor Matrix
Sl. No. Item Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Factor 4 Factor 5 Factor 6 Factor 7 Factor 8 Factor 9 Factor 10 Sl. No.

16 21 0.016 0.103 -0.030 -0.186 0.538 0.329 -0.027 -0.243 0.139 0.201 16
17 11 -0.043 0.001 -0.160 -0.140 0.459 0.428 -0.388 0.027 -0.018 -0.007 17
18 13 -0.233 0.259 0.104 0.307 0.401 -0.049 0.336 -0.278 0.044 0.053 18
19 12 -0.114 -0.017 -0.004 0.133 -0.359 0.170 -0.133 -0.226 -0.211 0.201 19
20 19 -0.202 0.216 0.008 0.343 0.351 -0.062 0.303 0.006 -0.241 0.067 20
21 37 -0.077 -0.114 0.217 -0.049 0.163 -0.562 -0.251 -0.102 0.068 -0.146 21
22 22 -0.011 0.158 0.210 0.241 -0.033 0.446 -0.232 -0.186 -0.057 -0.034 22
23 28 -0.080 -0.046 0.091 -0.179 0.188 0.181 0.577 -0.010 0.166 0.135 23
24 14 -0.045 -0.046 -0.108 0.018 0.191 0.295 -0.426 0.001 0.057 -0.112 24
25 40 0.310 0.215 -0.236 0.147 0.069 0.015 0.187 0.435 -0.218 0.407 25
26 39 -0.331 0.208 0.011 0.134 0.403 -0.281 -0.129 0.419 -0.173 -0.004 26
27 20 -0.101 0.008 0.023 -0.192 0.064 -0.200 -0.070 0.383 -0.096 0.042 27
28 32 0.079 0.017 0.020 -0.005 -0.023 -0.083 0.072 0.051 0.740 0.180 28
29 30 0.080 -0.064 0.114 0.283 0.175 0.197 -0.083 0.225 0.188 -0.527 29
30 9 -0.168 0.136 0.012 0.252 0.145 -0.078 0.428 -0.146 -0.011 -0.455 30

(Table Contd..)
170
Unrotated Factor Matrix
Sl. No. Item Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Factor 4 Factor 5 Factor 6 Factor 7 Factor 8 Factor 9 Factor 10 Sl. No.

31 27 0.156 0.252 -0.050 0.214 -0.132 0.092 0.147 -0.195 -0.063 -0.015 31
32 3 0.151 0.109 0.123 -0.262 0.094 0.148 0.081 -0.269 -0.091 -0.018 32
33 36 0.036 -0.124 -0.181 0.171 -0.161 -0.088 -0.097 -0.165 -0.186 0.249 33
34 4 -0.069 -0.121 -0.110 0.116 -0.097 -0.069 0.076 -0.249 -0.306 -0.072 34
35 18 0.008 -0.138 0.012 0.028 0.002 -0.169 -0.265 -0.010 0.089 -0.209 35
36 5 0.253 0.073 -0.015 -0.206 -0.003 -0.285 -0.103 -0.220 -0.033 0.055 36
37 24 0.336 0.035 -0.223 0.107 -0.049 0.113 0.100 0.248 -0.386 -0.189 37
38 6 0.094 0.005 -0.150 0.120 -0.137 0.068 0.008 0.162 0.114 0.067 38
39 31 0.062 -0.009 0.040 0.198 -0.413 -0.152 0.174 0.067 0.232 -0.190 39
40 7 0.008 -0.019 -0.087 -0.132 -0.056 0.083 0.161 -0.101 0.193 0.255 40

(Table Contd..)
172
Table 4.6 Perception of Teachers about Petit Seminaire
Rotated Factor Matrix
Sl. No. Item Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Factor 4 Factor 5 Factor 6 Factor 7 Factor 8 Factor 9 Factor 10 Sl. No.

1 2 0.946 -0.038 0.031 0.072 0.044 -0.043 -0.029 -0.038 -0.015 0.055 1
2 1 0.941 -0.024 -0.026 0.044 0.047 -0.005 -0.018 -0.016 -0.007 0.023 2
3 33 -0.007 0.901 0.133 -0.015 -0.030 0.018 -0.084 0.018 0.096 0.046 3
4 34 -0.034 0.850 -0.044 -0.030 0.050 -0.025 0.191 0.065 0.136 0.018 4
5 25 -0.179 0.350 -0.043 0.013 0.104 -0.138 0.160 0.092 -0.074 0.114 5
6 16 -0.024 -0.064 0.842 -0.015 0.010 0.070 0.023 -0.049 0.039 -0.071 6
7 15 0.045 0.197 0.842 -0.007 -0.048 0.026 -0.079 -0.037 -0.076 -0.050 7
8 35 -0.025 -0.124 0.497 -0.144 0.206 -0.149 -0.035 0.322 -0.068 0.215 8
9 19 0.032 -0.020 -0.006 0.750 0.032 0.025 -0.059 -0.091 0.040 0.077 9
10 13 0.132 -0.007 -0.050 0.738 0.002 -0.024 0.011 0.181 -0.057 -0.052 10
11 9 -0.083 -0.072 -0.077 0.452 0.134 -0.011 -0.065 -0.053 -0.054 -0.025 11
12 11 -0.037 -0.065 0.013 -0.023 -0.815 -0.081 -0.007 0.065 0.081 0.003 12
13 14 -0.058 0.053 -0.042 -0.063 -0.679 -0.001 -0.065 -0.097 -0.170 0.051 13
14 37 -0.037 0.027 -0.008 0.009 0.090 0.766 0.047 0.031 -0.042 -0.118 14
15 29 -0.139 -0.146 0.305 0.014 0.114 0.558 0.000 -0.040 0.095 0.386 15

(Table Contd..)
175
Rotated Factor Matrix
Sl. No. Item Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Factor 4 Factor 5 Factor 6 Factor 7 Factor 8 Factor 9 Factor 10 Sl. No.

16 5 -0.021 0.024 -0.035 -0.065 0.028 -0.049 0.804 -0.107 -0.141 -0.080 16
17 26 -0.040 0.150 -0.043 -0.004 0.022 0.141 0.695 0.163 0.322 -0.011 17
18 3 -0.051 0.106 -0.033 0.001 0.028 0.030 -0.030 0.783 -0.078 -0.012 18
19 21 -0.014 -0.109 0.010 0.160 -0.400 -0.064 0.117 0.524 0.194 0.074 19
20 8 -0.005 0.392 -0.033 -0.094 0.023 0.019 0.057 -0.064 0.739 -0.023 20
21 40 -0.114 0.049 -0.021 0.162 0.048 -0.315 -0.008 0.007 0.538 -0.055 21
22 39 0.166 -0.191 -0.051 0.330 -0.163 0.282 -0.070 -0.251 0.378 -0.051 22
23 22 0.209 0.120 -0.025 0.030 -0.105 -0.010 0.017 0.209 -0.089 0.714 23
24 38 -0.127 -0.009 -0.146 -0.004 0.037 -0.098 -0.205 -0.324 0.064 0.640 24
25 10 -0.007 -0.075 -0.046 -0.156 -0.005 -0.121 -0.160 -0.009 0.001 -0.024 25
26 17 0.126 0.200 -0.071 -0.007 0.084 0.152 0.083 0.044 -0.238 -0.192 26
27 32 -0.008 0.010 -0.043 -0.071 0.102 -0.002 0.086 -0.061 0.040 0.057 27
28 24 -0.210 -0.003 -0.064 -0.063 0.161 -0.374 0.249 -0.085 0.225 0.206 28
29 36 -0.103 -0.027 -0.037 0.048 0.059 0.082 -0.100 -0.109 0.023 0.060 29
30 30 -0.042 0.139 0.044 0.050 -0.083 0.027 -0.156 -0.088 0.038 0.247 30

(Table Contd..)
177
Rotated Factor Matrix
Sl. No. Item Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Factor 4 Factor 5 Factor 6 Factor 7 Factor 8 Factor 9 Factor 10 Sl. No.

31 20 0.019 -0.021 -0.075 -0.072 0.139 0.100 -0.124 0.148 0.036 -0.101 31
32 27 0.042 -0.019 -0.144 -0.032 0.128 0.078 -0.184 0.366 0.341 0.056 32
33 4 -0.031 -0.051 -0.086 -0.081 0.109 -0.046 -0.119 0.012 0.003 -0.209 33
34 23 0.088 -0.077 -0.116 -0.125 0.003 0.012 -0.096 0.112 0.121 -0.180 34
35 6 0.010 -0.040 -0.013 -0.040 0.026 -0.084 -0.051 0.018 -0.020 -0.021 35
36 28 -0.113 -0.027 0.204 0.276 0.160 -0.312 -0.053 0.012 0.009 -0.012 36
37 12 0.152 -0.027 -0.053 -0.199 0.028 -0.185 -0.086 0.010 -0.070 0.211 37
38 18 -0.021 -0.042 -0.018 -0.046 0.035 0.071 -0.001 0.000 -0.005 -0.031 38
39 7 -0.032 0.004 -0.051 -0.058 0.084 -0.123 -0.120 -0.018 -0.041 -0.109 39
40 31 -0.031 0.061 -0.018 -0.109 0.247 -0.186 -0.155 -0.015 -0.043 -0.164 40

Eigen Value 2.621 2.121 2.061 1.889 1.792 1.738 1.653 1.546 1.464 1.439 Eigen

Percentage of Percent
6.6 5.3 5.2 4.7 4.5 4.3 4.1 3.9 3.7 3.6
Variance Varia

(Table Contd..)
179
 Unrotated Factor Matrix

Item Factor 11 Factor 12 Factor 13 Factor 14 Factor 15 Factor 16 Factor 17 Factor 18

34 -0.178 0.063 -0.025 -0.189 0.002 0.007 -0.043 -0.127

33 -0.149 0.093 -0.120 -0.309 -0.053 -0.032 -0.114 -0.093
8 0.006 -0.007 -0.108 -0.123 0.262 0.045 0.155 0.345
25 0.054 0.248 0.218 0.004 -0.233 -0.057 0.024 -0.201
26 -0.040 -0.174 0.193 0.239 0.159 0.094 0.092 0.094
1 -0.058 -0.019 0.023 0.117 -0.117 -0.122 0.037 0.139
2 -0.095 -0.042 0.065 0.098 -0.063 -0.068 0.010 0.082
16 -0.009 0.031 -0.120 0.181 -0.120 0.090 0.170 0.128
29 0.231 0.216 -0.091 0.162 0.196 -0.317 0.320 -0.083
15 -0.082 0.065 -0.138 0.044 -0.124 0.089 -0.034 0.054
35 0.337 -0.174 0.270 0.116 0.147 0.182 -0.143 -0.017
38 -0.030 0.209 0.150 0.022 0.175 -0.060 0.101 -0.161
10 -0.030 0.158 0.244 -0.140 0.032 -0.110 0.295 0.103
17 0.020 0.383 -0.041 0.071 -0.158 -0.061 0.190 0.029
23 0.290 0.135 -0.179 0.045 0.212 0.258 0.103 -0.078

(Table Contd..)
169
Unrotated Factor Matrix
Item Factor 11 Factor 12 Factor 13 Factor 14 Factor 15 Factor 16 Factor 17 Factor 18

21 0.145 -0.246 0.131 -0.082 -0.084 -0.044 0.240 0.125

11 -0.075 -0.009 -0.213 0.020 -0.065 0.189 0.090 0.101
13 -0.057 -0.171 0.048 -0.067 -0.256 0.041 -0.091 -0.107
12 -0.142 -0.105 0.090 -0.224 0.231 0.200 0.181 -0.068
19 0.037 0.263 0.085 0.024 -0.115 0.091 -0.209 -0.140
37 0.276 0.191 -0.021 -0.156 0.069 -0.095 0.013 -0.126
22 0.193 0.072 0.310 0.109 0.247 0.003 -0.022 -0.212
28 -0.249 0.057 0.203 -0.134 0.199 0.068 0.023 0.032
14 -0.081 0.073 -0.347 0.062 0.002 0.312 -0.149 -0.146
40 0.156 -0.027 -0.019 0.010 -0.190 0.071 0.111 0.009
39 0.031 0.139 0.046 -0.078 0.159 0.093 0.098 -0.005
20 0.081 -0.327 0.080 -0.241 0.119 -0.256 -0.108 -0.337
32 -0.028 -0.039 0.103 0.014 -0.067 -0.019 0.071 -0.047
30 -0.008 -0.157 0.167 0.045 -0.146 -0.217 0.002 0.113
9 -0.018 -0.020 -0.050 0.114 0.133 0.241 -0.008 0.006

(Table Contd..)
171
Unrotated Factor Matrix
Item Factor 11 Factor 12 Factor 13 Factor 14 Factor 15 Factor 16 Factor 17 Factor 18

27 0.546 -0.001 -0.320 0.091 0.103 -0.057 0.037 0.309

3 0.503 -0.335 -0.013 -0.107 -0.011 -0.045 -0.112 -0.158
36 0.137 0.371 0.217 -0.270 -0.240 0.181 0.123 0.105
4 -0.300 -0.337 -0.145 -0.278 0.031 -0.232 0.210 0.170
18 0.170 0.017 0.491 -0.147 -0.195 0.184 -0.262 0.440
5 -0.297 -0.039 0.109 0.576 -0.027 0.099 0.042 -0.113
24 -0.068 -0.150 0.217 0.397 0.177 -0.094 -0.077 0.112
6 0.172 -0.089 -0.160 0.213 -0.471 -0.220 0.016 -0.065
31 0.067 -0.341 -0.103 -0.092 -0.130 0.438 0.123 -0.071
7 -0.069 0.206 -0.199 -0.018 0.226 -0.216 -0.566 0.267

Extraction Method : Principal Component Analysis.

18 components extracted.

173

Rotated Factor Matrix

Item Factor 11 Factor 12 Factor 13 Factor 14 Factor 15 Factor 16 Factor 17 Factor 18

2 -0.005 0.024 0.033 -0.054 0.055 0.041 -0.021 0.013

1 0.027 -0.001 0.029 0.038 0.021 -0.035 -0.010 0.002
33 -0.029 -0.057 0.068 -0.001 -0.044 0.006 0.017 0.015
34 -0.001 0.070 -0.002 0.027 0.012 0.039 -0.047 0.011
25 0.282 -0.058 -0.303 -0.015 0.125 -0.245 -0.017 -0.032
16 0.007 0.061 0.014 0.057 -0.034 -0.031 -0.050 0.044
15 -0.041 -0.062 0.033 -0.019 -0.020 0.028 0.002 -0.025
35 -0.093 -0.107 -0.005 -0.118 0.236 0.135 0.185 0.040
19 -0.048 -0.176 -0.106 -0.011 0.105 -0.018 -0.019 -0.086
13 -0.106 0.201 0.076 0.042 -0.206 0.003 -0.022 0.069
9 -0.004 -0.103 0.376 0.338 0.077 0.249 -0.029 0.235
11 0.108 -0.033 0.027 0.010 -0.030 -0.002 0.008 -0.023
14 -0.230 -0.068 0.064 0.056 0.168 0.021 -0.048 0.020
37 -0.063 0.020 -0.032 -0.128 0.103 0.093 0.140 0.036
29 -0.020 0.037 0.042 0.162 -0.181 -0.073 -0.217 -0.021

(Table Contd..)
176
Rotated Factor Matrix
Item Factor 11 Factor 12 Factor 13 Factor 14 Factor 15 Factor 16 Factor 17 Factor 18

5 -0.022 -0.047 0.034 0.067 0.052 -0.040 -0.080 0.036

26 -0.129 0.144 -0.006 -0.004 -0.038 0.132 0.106 0.007
3 -0.014 -0.063 0.042 -0.035 0.084 -0.027 -0.023 0.020
21 0.281 0.299 -0.020 -0.019 -0.217 0.018 0.031 -0.038
8 -0.064 0.057 0.083 0.097 0.028 0.088 0.031 -0.008
40 -0.027 -0.089 -0.292 -0.160 0.143 -0.376 -0.134 0.065
39 0.051 -0.170 0.029 -0.339 0.171 0.149 0.041 0.100
22 -0.023 -0.130 -0.017 0.044 0.070 0.131 0.044 0.026
38 -0.094 0.270 -0.011 0.105 0.006 -0.088 -0.073 0.026
10 0.717 0.032 0.060 -0.081 0.095 0.094 0.041 0.041
17 0.549 -0.175 -0.024 0.345 0.158 -0.010 -0.084 0.030
32 -0.015 0.744 0.087 -0.014 0.136 -0.114 0.036 -0.016
24 0.064 -0.513 0.258 -0.028 -0.017 -0.130 0.072 -0.005
36 0.014 -0.038 -0.710 0.145 -0.074 -0.035 0.222 0.066
30 0.138 0.020 0.536 -0.014 -0.173 -0.238 0.359 0.173

(Table Contd..)
178
Rotated Factor Matrix
 Item Factor 11 Factor 12 Factor 13 Factor 14 Factor 15 Factor 16 Factor 17 Factor 18

20 -0.035 -0.058 0.139 -0.717 0.037 -0.010 -0.079 0.035

27 -0.150 -0.172 0.030 0.556 0.088 -0.168 -0.093 -0.073
4 -0.027 -0.157 0.022 0.034 -0.693 0.156 -0.151 0.108
23 0.194 0.037 0.062 0.048 0.637 0.125 -0.206 0.089
6 -0.071 0.077 0.016 0.041 -0.001 -0.679 -0.053 0.056
28 0.326 0.314 0.058 -0.034 0.012 0.385 -0.136 -0.181
12 -0.168 -0.075 -0.351 0.026 -0.224 0.373 -0.140 0.195
18 -0.010 0.013 -0.082 0.032 0.009 0.055 0.879 0.014
7 -0.155 0.110 0.045 0.134 0.087 0.087 -0.016 -0.788
31 -0.323 0.219 0.084 0.180 0.130 0.014 0.043 0.596

Value 1.417 1.351 1.281 1.263 1.156 1.084 1.044 1.022

tage of
3.5 3.4 3.2 3.2 2.9 2.7 2.6 2.6
ance

180