ST. THOMAS COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
THOOTHUKUDI

Address : Krishnarajapuram, Thoothukudi - 628 002.

St. Thomas College of Education is run by Tuticorin Diocesan Association, a unit of the Tuticorin Roman Catholic diocese. The diocese governs schools aided by the state government and seven self-supporting schools. The diocese is a pioneering organization in the field of education in the districts of Tirunelveli and Tuticorin. The diocese has been serving the people for 100years belong to backward and most backward communities and made tremendous impact in their social and religious life.

A Brief History : St. Teresa College of Education was laid foundation by His. Emience. Simon Lourdusamy D.D.D.C.L, the proto cardinal as legacy of platinum Jubilee of Tuticorin Diocese on 23.09.1998 at 7.45 p.m at the Cathedral Campus, Tuticorin. The foundation stone was kept one of the rooms in the bishop's house without notice upto 21.04.2007. It was an eye-opener for the deputy superintendent of R.C. Schools who stayed in that room.

The principal and the correspondent of St. Thomas Matric. Hr. Sec. School, Rev. Fr. Dr.John.S.Selvam approached the bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Yvon Ambroise D.D., Ph.D., the bishop of Thoothukudi on 10.03.2006 to permit to start B.Ed College in the campus of St.Thomas Matric. Hr. Sec. School.

The ground floor was already constructed by Rev. Fr. Dr. Kumar Raja Ph.D., and it was used as girl's wing of St.Thomas Matric. Hr.Sec. School. The second floor of the edifice was done by Rev. Fr. Dr. John Selvam Ph.D., and blessed by Rev. Fr. Julian Fernando, the former correspondent of St.Thomas group of schools on 24.01.2005.

The bishop Most Dr. Rev. Yvon Ambroise D.D.Ph.D gave only the permission to start the B.Ed College without any peccunial support and it was named after St.Thomas College of Education due to the financial encouragement and the environment of the premise. The Inspection was done by National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) on 14.02.2008. With the group of professors, from the parental manonmaniam university, the universities of Kerala, Bangalore and New Delhi. The team of professors confirm the recognition with great appreciation and placed the management to serve as a Nodal Centre for Indira Gandhi open University of Teacher Education, for Southern Districts of Tamilnadu. The college was blessed on 21.04.2008.

As a part of this missionary service to the people in the area of higher education, the St. Thomas College of Education was instated in the accadamic year 2008 to provide a holistic and quality teacher-education to the marginalized and the poor. The founder of the college is Most Rev. Dr. Yuvon Ambroise, the then Bishop of Tuticorin Diocese. Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Antony, the Bishop of Tuticorin Diocese is the chairman. Rev. Fr. S. M. Sahayam, the Procurator of the diocese is the correspondent of the college.

This is the second college for the diocese of Thoothukudi. The management sincerely thanks to the former Vice-Principal of St.Thomas Mat. Hr. Sec. School, Dr. Gerard Rayen Ph.D., other staff teaching and non-teaching who have helped with their heart and soul.

MOTTO
‘Arise and shine’ is the prime quality of the prospective teachers of the diocese. It is stream lined to the national goals to shape the citizens’ life harmonious and peaceful.

VISION
Empowering prospective teachers to evolve into socially responsible persons endowed with values and wisdom for problem based teaching by providing learning environment on universal value system which brings out the attitude of upright, eco friendliness, women empowerment and empathy for physically challenged to create an egalitarian society.

MISSION
College provides professional training that would develop the necessary problem solving skills in the prospective teachers to become an educational and technological savant. College enlightens and enhances self confidence and self esteem among women student teachers. An environment that leads to global peace and harmony is created in everyday task and activity

PRINCIPLES
Freedom and responsibilities: As psychologists say, freedom elicits totipotency of human mind creative, communicative and dynamic. College environment should be a learner friendly to experience the core of the responsibility and learn to live a harmonious and happy life personally and socially.

St. Thomas College of education creates a sound intellectual formation, life skills and professional skills to the student teachers through dynamic input sessions on perspectives, methodologies and elective courses using labs, library and information and communication technology by devoted teacher educators. Institution forms interpersonal relationship in the teacher candidates through prayer groups, peer groups and seminars.

St. Thomas College of education is a prosperous, prestigious and reputable institution, has been led and headed by the following correspondents and principals for the last 15 years.

Text updated on May 11th 2023