Convent Educated - A badge of honor?

Craze for convent.

The British Ruled India for almost two hundred years. Instead, of learning our language and culture they did just the opposite. We abandoned Tabla, Sitar and Mridang and adopted Piano, Saxophone, drum set and Trumpet with English songs and ball room dance as a way forward. This happened very gradually and meticulously.


Why Craze for convent education in India?

Whether we like it or not, the English ruled us with ‘style and awe’. With their cars, bone China crockery, Sheffield cutlery, silver ware, flower vases, flower arrangements, Victorian furniture and overarching architectural prowess, clubs, pubs, Golf, spit and polish and aroma of scotch, stylish pipes and cigars was a great combo of style with substance that impressed the Indians the most. Table manners, napkins, four course meals, cut glass, decanters, fine dining, thank you and sorry and treating a woman like a lady in public did have a positive cultural impact on Indians who looked up to them in awe! All Indian guys and gals wanted to become Sahibs and memsahibs- like their masters. It had a ‘sledge hammer’ effect.

Attire, behavior and language, was a lethal combination like a package deal- and we lapped it up. The mission impossible was made possible by the ‘missionaries’ who wanted to propagate their religion throughout the world. Many won’t know that the word propaganda is a derivative of propagation which was first used for religion. I have heard some Hindu and Sikh friends shrieking ‘Oh Christ’ instead of ‘hai bhagwan’, and that sunk in pretty well. Instead of Pandits, ‘Arya Kanya’ the school names were prefixed with, saints and Bishops – a good choice. They didn’t say it but we ourselves labled , bhagwad, guru and gurukul so yukky! Even colleges were oomphy like Lady Irwin, Miranda house, Lady Sri Ram, Saint bede’s.

Best way is to amalgamate religion with education but in right proportion. They did it in a very subtle way. Emphasis was on good values, morals and discipline, holistic education and upbringing with a dash of religion. The overall learning experience, educational outcome and rewards of good mannerism far outweighed the ‘dash’ of religion.

Etymology

Convent schools, also known as Catholic schools, are educational institutions run by religious orders, often nuns, and affiliated with the Catholic Church. They are known for their day-schooling system, but some also offered boarding. Convent schools are open to all children, regardless of caste or creed, and are known for providing quality education at affordable prices.

The teachers and principals were nuns, mothers and sisters and brothers, who were sticklers for rules and discipline- which was very impressive and had a far-reaching impact on Indians those days. They encouraged students to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, and cultural events and strive to create an environment that promoted discipline, respect, and ethical conduct among the students. Gradually a ‘Mela’ became a ‘fete’ a ‘dukan’ became a ‘tuck shop’- Yet the overall mould made a student very confident and for parents it was value for money.

“Bhai, convent educated hai” was enough to raise eyebrows and a passport to a victory stand. Then why not? Here also the awe worked- you got to grant them the due.

Even the rich Punjabi families were at it ‘bhbhai, kudi noo, convent vichch he panna wei’

The name chosen was ‘convent’. A convent is an enclosed community of monks, nuns, friars or religious sisters. Alternatively, convent means the building used by the community. Jesus and Mary, was wisely inserted in the name and ‎Convent of Jesus and Mary was thus committed to the promotion of a just and humane society provide holistic education to pupils and conscientize them of their rights and duties so that they emerge as a societal resource with right attitude and strong values.

Convent schools have contributed immensely to changing the face of women’s education throughout the country, but convents emerged in India as part of the colonial project to “civilize the savages”. In modern English usage, since about the 19th century, the term convent almost invariably refers to a community of women.

The comparatively lower and affordable school fees-those days- and holistic moral development alongside intellectual stimulation further consolidated its popularity. The notions of a “good girl” according to Christian values as taught in these schools resonated with the oriental Indian idea of how a woman should behave. There was no suggestion of wearing Christianity on the sleeve and Sikhs- in Saintly boys schools- wore Pagri and kada on a daily basis for example.

Idea of “good girl” or a “lady” still comes from a colonial and Christian concept of womanhood. Of course they churned out disciplined, well mannered and polished product which had that ‘oomph’ factor which most wore on their sleeve. A bit of snobbish attitude simmered in and those going to other schools were labled as HMTs ‘Hindi Medium Types’. Quite a downmarket remark though.

The ‘advantage convent’ didn’t end there- actually this was the start point for bigger prizes. Girl could be a complete duff, but good English and spit and polish opened the gates for ‘Rishta in a good gharana’. Getting a boy for the daughter is the biggest headache for parents in India.

Idea of a “good convent educated girl” has found its way to the Indian marriage market too. Matrimonial ads in newspapers and websites have historically discriminated against women by objectifying and commodifying them. Convent education gives you a definitive head start here- ‘ek baar mill to lein’. Once a meeting is set half the battle is won. ‘Phir manage kar lenge’. Rest is managed with ‘farrat’ English to smash the day lights out of the Ladke wallas!

Today even conservative families don’t just want “fair, slim and homely” brides for their sons; now they also want their daughters-in-law to be “convent-educated”. This feeds into the larger narrative of modernity, education, and progress. There are two major reasons for this.

The first obvious reason is that of social prestige and pride. Bragging about the new bride’s qualifications to relatives, friends, and neighbours is a good conversation starter. The second, more subtle reason is linked to the idea of good motherhood. A convent-educated girl will successfully execute the role of the primary teacher as is expected of any mother. Mothers will carry the message down by speaking to their kids in English- oh so English you know. Mission accomplished!

Slim, fair and CONED (Convent Educated) is a bull’s eye boss ‘Saand ki AANKH’!

Here too there are shades of pink- tall, slim, fair and lovely with convent education is a five star full PINKY.
A bit plump, fair and CONED is four star- light pink. Slim, Indian features, dusky CONED is a Diva for many.
Let me not go further lest be labeled as misogynist.

English medium for girls sells like ‘IIT’, IAS sells for grooms.

Proliferation of the same culture

The growth of the English language as a fantasy among middle-class Indians also pushed for convent education where English was the medium of instruction in schools.

There are around 11,000 schools which can be strictly called as convents- they have different names but similar fabric and hue.

Taking a cue from their best practices, most modern schools have adopted their ideas, added some more into the curriculum and created chains of ‘English medium schools’- the hangover still hangs. As long as a pupil gets good education and also learns Indian culture and values the multicultural approach is a workable solution for progress.
The branding was so strong and lasting that even in tier 4 cities people will say ‘Ladki Konbent ezoocatted hai kya?’ Baki saab chalta hai.