Missionary school and Conversion

Missionary Educational Institutions and Conversion in Bastar: 

A Financial Analysis and Thought-Provoking Questions

Bastar division, known for its rich tribal culture and natural beauty, is also notable for the large number of educational institutions run by Christian missionaries. The financial operations of these institutions and their alleged social impacts are often debated. This article raises some important questions through an estimated analysis of the income and expenditure of these institutions, especially in the context of religious conversion.

Financial Estimate of a Prominent Missionary School

Let's take the example of a large missionary school located in Jagdalpur, where the total number of students is approximately 4000. If we assume an average monthly fee of ₹2000 per student from class 1 to 12 (considering the possibility of lower fees in some classes and higher in others), its estimated monthly income can be calculated as follows:

*   **Monthly Income:** ₹2000 (average fee) × 4000 (students) = ₹80 Lakhs
*   **Annual Income:** ₹80 Lakhs × 12 months = More than ₹9 Crore 60 Lakhs

Now, let's consider its potential expenses. If the school has 100 teachers and 40 other staff members, and we assume an average monthly expenditure of ₹25,000 per employee (which may include salaries of ₹10,000 for some teachers, ₹15,000 for some staff, and up to ₹40,000 for senior staff), then:

*   **Monthly Expenditure on Employee Salaries:** 140 (employees) × ₹25,000 = ₹35 Lakhs
*   **Annual Expenditure on Employee Salaries:** ₹35 Lakhs × 12 months = ₹4 Crore 20 Lakhs

Additionally, let's assume an annual expenditure of ₹1 Crore for school maintenance, new furniture, construction of new rooms, and requirements for books and copies. It can also be estimated that the school might waive fees up to ₹50 Lakhs for some needy children, who are invariably children of the mission's adherents.

Combining all these expenses, the maximum total annual expenditure of the school comes to approximately **₹5 Crore 70 Lakhs** (₹4.20 Crore for salaries + ₹1 Crore for maintenance + ₹0.50 Crore for fee waivers).

Even after this estimate, the school retains an annual surplus of **more than ₹3 Crore 90 Lakhs** (₹9.60 Crore - ₹5.70 Crore). It is noteworthy that these institutions, being in the education sector, are not required to pay any tax to the government. This naturally raises the question of where and how this huge surplus amount might be utilized.

Extensive Network of Missionary Institutions in Bastar Division

In Jagdalpur, there are several Christian missionary schools such as Nirmal Vidyalaya, Vidya Jyoti Dipti Convent Higher Secondary School, Mission School, and Gyanodaya. In Kondagaon district, there is Chavara Vidyalaya, and in Kanker, St. Michael, among many others. Across the entire Bastar division, more than 40 such educational institutions (including schools and colleges) are operational.

If we assume an average annual income of even ₹2 Crore for these 40 institutions (as the income of one school in the example above was more than ₹3 Crore 90 Lakhs), then their total annual income in Bastar division exceeds **₹80 Crore**.

It is worth considering whether institutions with an annual income of over ₹80 Crore in Bastar alone would genuinely need financial assistance from external or foreign organizations for conversion activities. It is possible that they might be able to fund such activities from their internal income itself.

**Deterioration of Government Schools and the Rise of Missionary Institutions**

Another important aspect is the condition of the government education system. From the 1980s to 2010, government schools were allegedly pushed towards disrepair. Teacher recruitment was neglected, attention was not paid to the quality of education, and in many places, proper buildings were not even available. During this period, the middle and upper classes of the country, who wanted to provide better education to their children, began enrolling them in private institutions run by Christian missionaries instead of government schools. Many analysts believe that this was the time when the "game" of conversion took on a new dimension.

**A Serious Need for Introspection**

It is a bitter truth that 80 to 90% of the students paying hefty fees to study in these missionary schools belong to the Hindu community. As long as the Hindu community continues to send its children to these Christian missionary institutions, we cannot even conceive of stopping the funding for conversion, because it is we, the Hindus ourselves, who are providing crores of rupees to these institutions.

This is a question that every section of society should seriously ponder.

**Rambhakt**

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