Revisiting the Aim of Missionary Education in Bangladesh: The Case of Holy Cross Congregation

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Perspectives and Experiences of Religious Minorities in Educational Settings

Abstract

The Congregation of Holy Cross has been working on evangelization and education in Bangladesh for more than 165 years. This study examines the educational mission of the Congregation in Bangladesh. The study was conducted from a historical perspective. The paper is based primarily on the examination of written documents – primary and secondary – and field work involving oral history interviews. The study identified four primary aims of Holy Cross education in Bangladesh. The paper argues that they have distinctive educational aims at the nation's elite education both through English and Bengali medium, and villages’ primary and secondary level education. The study illustrates that there has been a shift of emphasis on the educational mission over the years.

Author

• Md Shaikh Farid, The University of Dhaka