Rev. Fr. Dr. Praveen Leo Lasrado: The Beacon of Educational Excellence

At a time when education is increasingly driven by outcomes, technology, and competition, Rev. Fr. Praveen Leo Lasrado offers a deeply reflective perspective on its true purpose. Drawing from his experience as an educator and Secretary of the Catholic Board of Education, Diocese of Mangalore, he speaks about conscience formation, discipline, inclusion, school culture, and the urgent need to humanise technology. This issue of Mentor Magazine chronicles his vision of education that moves beyond information and achievement toward the formation of ethical, resilient, and compassionate human beings.

The Purpose of Education

The modern system of education has contributed a lot to the development of the world at large and to human beings in particular. However, today it stands at a crossroads. It is pulled in different directions- toward measurable outcomes, employability, technological advancement, and global competitiveness. Yet, for an educator rooted in faith, the purpose of education cannot be reduced to numbers or to narrow definitions of success. “What is the purpose of education?” This is a question that all the stakeholders- the government, the management, the parents, the society, the students and all those who are involved directly or indirectly in the field of education need to ask again and again.

Without the right purpose, education loses its esteem and becomes only a means of information. The real purpose of education should be beyond information, moving on to formation of character and conscience and thus bringing in transformation. A student who has information should know how to use it to transform one’s own life and that of the others. The minds of the students should not be mere data centres of intelligence, but rather the faculties of formation and transformation.

The Formation of Conscience

We live in an era of “outcomes.” We measure success by general public approval, placement records, and starting salaries. Yet, the most critical organ of the human spirit- the formation of the conscience- is often ignored because it cannot be quantified. There is immense competition among various institutions from KG to PG and even universities to show how they are better than the others, and therefore parents and students should choose them. Nobody comes out with an advertisement saying our students are living a peaceful family life, they know how to face crises in life, and they have become good citizens or better human beings with moral and spiritual integrity.

Therefore, schools today must reclaim their role as spaces where conscience is not silenced by competition but nurtured through reflection, dialogue, and moral clarity. True education does not merely produce skilled individuals; it forms responsible citizens who can act with integrity even when no one is watching. In this sense, formation of conscience becomes the invisible curriculum that undergirds all visible learning.

Role of Catholic Institutions in Education

Historically, Catholic Institutions have been pioneers in providing conscience forming, value-based education. However, their responsibility today extends far beyond the “distinction” marks on a report card. Our call is to be the moral conscience of the educational landscape. Beyond academics, our duty is to uphold the dignity of every human person, especially the marginalized. We are called to model a “Preferential Option for the Poor,” ensuring that our institutions are not exclusive clubs for the elite, but centers of social integration. Their mission is not simply to produce successful individuals, but to form persons who contribute meaningfully to society, and the country.

Therefore, even before independence or the geographical boundaries of our nation were finalized, Catholic Educational Institutions have contributed to the formation of the individuals. The CBE (Catholic Board of Education of the Diocese of Mangalore), where I am serving as the Secretary, has majority of its schools in the rural areas even now, providing education, either free, or at an affordable price. Excellence in values is our focus along with the regular curriculum. We still try continuing to do so, as our purpose is to reach out to the last and the least with the best of the syllabus both academic, and moral-spiritual.

In the short time that I have taken up this role, I am beginning to realize that it is becoming increasingly difficult. A critical question arises: are we truly bridging socio-economic divides, or have we unintentionally become aspirational spaces for the privileged? While the majority of our institutions strive to remain inclusive, the rising cost of quality education often creates barriers. The challenge is to resist the commodification of education and reaffirm its identity as a common good. Schools must actively seek ways- through scholarships, outreach programs, and community engagement- to ensure that education remains accessible and value based. Institutions should not just focus on producing 100% result and high grades but the effort should be to bring out better human beings who are ready to face the world.

Discipline

As an educator, I have realised that the understanding of the term ‘discipline’ has also undergone a transformation. In earlier times, discipline was often associated with authority and compliance. Today, in an age where authority itself is questioned, discipline must be redefined as self-regulation rooted in understanding and respect. The old model of “command and control” discipline is dead. True authority is no longer derived from a title or a cane; it is earned through authenticity.

Discipline is not about compliance through fear, but self-regulation through love. It is about helping students understand that freedom is not doing whatever one wants, but the power to do what is good and form one’s conscience. Discipline is about formation and transformation. When I see people breaking traffic rules, littering public spaces, or falling into substance abuse, I ask myself as an educator: Is our education system making students disciplined and self-transformative?

Humanising Technology

Another challenge that we face as educators is balancing technology with the moral and spiritual goals of education. Technology, when guided by ethical frameworks, can enhance learning, foster collaboration, and expand access. However, when left unchecked, it can lead to distraction, superficiality, and moral disengagement. The task of educators is to humanise technology, ensuring that it serves the development of the whole person rather than dominating it. With the dawn of AI and Robotics, the challenge is even more serious and imminent.

Weaving a Strong Culture

Educators today need to build a strong school culture. It is not built on infrastructure or examination results alone, but emerges when students, teachers, administrators, government, and parents feel respected and engaged. Schools must create environments where students feel supported in their struggles and challenged to grow beyond their comfort zones. This balance is essential for authentic learning. Will our students be able to face crises, accept failures, and think out of the box in situations of constraint?

Schools therefore, must prepare students to face life’s uncertainties and challenges. All the stakeholders of education should desire, cooperate and promote such learning. Traditional education systems often emphasize fixed pathways and predefined answers. Yet, life today demands adaptability, creativity, and resilience. “Being ready for life” means more than securing a job; it means being able to navigate ambiguity, make ethical decisions, and sustain meaningful relationships.

Hence, schools must shift from rote learning to critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. Preparing students for uncertainty is not about providing all the answers, but about equipping them with the capacity to ask the right questions.

A Paramount Lesson

My experience as a teacher and right now, as the Secretary of the Education society, have taught me one important thing in my life- that one always needs to be a student in the field of education. It does not matter whether you teach, you manage, own or run a school or an institution. You always need to learn, update, upgrade and try to be relevant. The world and its needs are fast changing; so, gone are the days of complacency. We all need to grow and be open minded to re-embrace the new challenges without compromising the core values.

The Guardians of Hope

In conclusion, I would like to say that education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself. As educators rooted in faith and values, we are the guardians of hope. Our mission is to ensure that when our students walk out of our gates, they carry not just a degree in their hands, but a fire in their hearts- a fire that refuses to be extinguished by the cold winds of indifference. We are not just teaching subjects; we are co-creating the future of a person, a society, and a nation, of course with the help of the Divine.