History And Profile

St. Joseph College of Teacher Education for Women, Ernakulam,  located in the heart of Kochi city was established in 1957. It is a minority institution, affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and recognized by UGC and approved by NCTE. The College is included under section 2(f), 12(B) of UGC Act. It is managed by the Carmelite Nuns of Vimala Province of the Congregation of Mother of Carmel, CMC, who consider the upliftment of women and children as their ‘Divine Call’. This edifice of learning and holistic enrichment nestles on calm and serene ground of 2 acres 31.5 cents and is a unique blend of the old and new architectural styles. General discipline is scrupulously maintained and an academic oriented culture is in place.
The institution began with an initial intake capacity of 100 students with Four Optionals and then gradually the intake increased to 200 students and Six Optionals.  With the commencement of the Two year B.Ed Programme the NCTE sanctioned an intake of 2 units (100 students)   In 2005 the college moved to a new trajectory of growth with the inclusion of the P.G and Diploma in  Elementary Teacher Education Courses.

The M.Ed intake at present as sanctioned by the NCTE is 1 Unit (50 students) and the D.El Ed intake is also 1Unit (50 Students). In 2022 the Institution was given the most cherished privilege of being recognized as a Research Center in Education by Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The college functions in 2 blocks – the Sanjoe Block and the Heritage Block

The college has an effective administration to ensure its vision and mission. The Management Council of the college consists of the Educational Agency, Manger and  a team of CMC Sisters dedicated to the cause of Education. The day to day affairs of the college are managed by the College Council which consists of the Principal and all the faculty members. An active IQAC takes initiative and leadership to ensure the quality of the institution.

 Revised ‘Institutional Policy Perspectives’ and revised ‘Policy in Action: Guidelines’ clearly conveys the vision and mission of the college and thus proclaim the philosophy of the institution. Admissions and appointments are never denied in the name of caste, creed or sex and the college has students from backward, urban, and semi-urban background on its rolls. The numerous awards and scholarships instituted by the college, the PTA, the students’ welfare fund and Alumni have contributed to stimulating the academic climate in the campus. Remedial Teaching programs, Mentoring system and Tutorial system ensure academic equity of the academically weak students. In 2010 the UGC recognized the meritorious services of the institution in the field of nation building for more than half of a century by granting the Golden Jubilee Fund

The college plans a plethora of activities that are conducive for nurturing JOSEPHITES (Just, Obedient to the will of God, Socially committed, Evolving, Patriotic, Honest, Inspiring, Teachers who are also Enthusiastic Stewards of nature) and thus making them Socially Responsible and Globally Competent Empowered Women. We are keeping ourselves tuned to every day developments in the general employment environment and effecting changes in our training strategy. Raising the employability quotient of the students is in our core agenda and we have devised a few programmes to enhance the confidence our students. The multi skill development programme (SkiD), is meant to serve this goal. Multiple feedback system, ICT-enabled teaching and learning, campus networking, remedial teaching, workshops , seminars and invited lectures by resource persons from DIET, DRG, SRG and interactions with educationists both national and international help to update student teachers on the latest trends in methodology of teaching and learning. The diverse learning needs of the student teachers are catered to and they are equipped to identify and respond to the diverse learning needs of the learners.  B.Ed. students are given training and practice in creating blog, use of SMART Boards, production of improvised aids, conduct of surveys ,projects, preparation of Psychological tests and tools,  action research , case study , preparation and administration of Diagnostic test and achievement tests, reflective practices, writing journal reviews, writing journal articles, preparing portfolios etc.  In the M.Ed. level students are trained in research through Dissertation and mini projects. They are also encouraged to participate and present papers in seminars and workshops and to publish articles in ‘Edufocus’ the institutional journal.

Parallel to the intellectual pursuits, the creation of a just society respecting the individual dignity, nurturing secular values and religious harmony and reaching out to the needy without any discrimination predicate our institutional ethos. The institution teaches constitutional values and civic responsibilities, through seminars and talks on philosophy of our Nation, workshops and regular classes on value education, celebration of days of national importance and various activities of JIC (JOSEPHITES IN THE COMMUNITY) like outreach programmes, visits and case study on special schools, blood donation camps, free eye camps, distribution of dress and food packets to the needy, the basic human values and national values are inculcated in our student teachers.

School Internship is arranged in 29  reputed schools in and around the city. Good cordial relationship is maintained with them and their expertise is made use of in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the  Induction and Internship programmes and also in evaluating the B.Ed programme.

This college, the first college of teacher education in Kochi the Queen of the Arabian Sea has established in its chequered history of over 6 decades a good will and reputation as a worthy center of Teacher Education. In 2010 the UGC recognized the meritorious services of the institution in the field of nation building for more than half of a century.

The race for excellence has no finishing point. The philosophy of continuous improvement and the concept of excellence have guided the college from the very beginning. We resolve to excel with a passion to grow into a center of excellence.

LANDMARKS IN THE ANNALS OF THE COLLEGE