ABOUT Fr. K. MANI RAJAN

Corepiscopo K. Mani Rajan was the Vicar of St. Mary’s Syrian Simhasana Church, Arthat, Kunnamkulam, Kerala, India from 1984 – 2022. He has served St. Peter’s Syrian Simhasana Church, Thrissur from 2010 to 2016. He has served M.M.D.M. Patriarchal Centre, (now, St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church) Ithithanam, Changanacherry from 1994 to 2004. While he was a doctoral student at University of California, Riverside, USA, he served the St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Simhasana Church, Los Angeles, USA from 1989 to 1993. He was a faculty member and principal at St. Joseph’s Training College, Mannanam, Kottayam from 1983 to 1988 and from 1994 to 2014. He served the Tutorwaves, Kottayam as Education Manager (2014). He has served IES Training College, Chittilappilly, Thrissur (2015) and St. Joseph’s Training College, Pavaratty (2020-2022) as Principal. He was a (CERC) Research Fellow at the University of California, Riverside, U.S.A. during 1990-93. Before assuming his position at St. Joseph’s Training College, he worked for a short period as a PGT (Chemistry) at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kadavanthara, Kochi (1982).

Corepiscopo Mani Rajan holds a Ph.D. (Education – 1993) from the University of California, U.S.A. He received his B.Sc. degree (1978) from the University of Kerala, his M.Sc. degree (1980) from Jabalpur University, his B.Ed. Degree (1981 – First Rank) and M.Ed. degree (1983) from Calicut University. At present, he is a research guide in Education at the School of Pedagogical Sciences, M.G. University, Kottayam. He has successfully guided four Ph.D. in Education.

Corepiscopo Mani Rajan was ordained priest in 1984 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas at Damascus, Syria.  His Holiness decorated him with a pectoral cross in 2000 in recognition of his services to the Simhasana church and his literary contributions to the Church.  He was elevated to the rank of Corepiscopo in 2009.

He was ordained korooyo by His Grace Mor Julios Yacoub Madappattu at Manjinikkara on 14 March 1976.  He was ordained Youfdyakno by His Beatitude Mor Baselius Paulose II at Mor Sharbil Sahadho church, Thrikkothamangalam, Kottayam on 23 July 1978.  He was ordained full Deacon by His Grace Mor Osthatheos Bennyamin Joseph at St. George Cathedral, Damascus, Syria on 12 October 1984.

In addition to Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of Syrian Orthodox Church (Vols. I-VII), he is the author of Queen of the Sacraments (1991), The prayer book of the Syriac Orthodox Church (1993), Perspectives in physical science teaching (1999), A treatise on form and style of thesis and dissertation (1999) and Science of Science Education (2004).  He has authored a chapter in Secondary Education:  The Challenges Ahead (2002) published by NIEPA, New Delhi. He has co-authored a book titled Teaching of Physical Science: Theory, Perspectives & Practice (2008).  He has published about a dozen articles in journals and has presented half-a-dozen papers at national and international conferences.  He has authored, compiled and edited a few other books in Malayalam and English (see, the list given below).  He has attended American Educational Research Association (AERA) meetings at Chicago (1991) and San Francisco (1992).

Corepiscopo Mani Rajan was a member of the Manjinikkara Dayara Committee from 2001 to 2019.  He was a member of the Joint Commission for dialogue between the Catholic and Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. He has served Kerala Public Service Commission as a subject expert (1985-1988).  He was a visiting team member of the National Council for Teacher Education. He is a Life member of the All India Association for Educational Research (AIAER) and Council for Teacher Education (CTE).

Awards/Rank/Scholarships received

  • First Rank, B.Ed. Degree Examination, 1981
  • University Merit Scholarship, 1981-82
  • Kulangara Balakrishna Pillai Award, 1981-82
  • CERC Fellowship, 1990-93, University of California, Riverside, U.S.A.
  • The Best Paper Award of AIAER, 1998

Areas of Specializations/Research interests

Teacher Education – Physical Science Education. Physical Science Education – Use of analogy in science education, pre-conceptions of students and intervention strategies.

Resource person

  1. Visiting Team member, NCTE, visited DIET, Kavarathi, Union Teritory of Lakshadeep, Visited colleges in the State of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
  2. Resource person for the National Seminar on “Total quality management in teacher education” held at Avila College of Education, EdaKochi on 26-4-2010.
  3. Chairperson of paper presentation “Ninth Annual Convention and International Seminar of Council for Teacher Education on Peace Education: An Orientation for Gen Next” organized by St. Thomas College of Teacher Education, Pala on 13th & 14th August 2010.
  4. Resource Person – National seminar on Science of Identifying Research Problems and Crafting of Proposalsheld at St. Joseph’s Training College, Mannanam  on 25th and 26th February 2011.
  5. Panelists for the one day seminar Right to Education Act held at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam on 11th August 2011 jointly organized by School of Pedagogical Sciences, M.G. University and Council for Teacher Education, Kerala state Centre.
  6. Resource Person in the UGC sponsored state level seminar on “Community involvement in curriculum development” held at Mount Tabor Training College, Pathanapuram on 1st March 2012.
  7. UGC Sponsored Orientation course for university and college teachers of Mahatma Gandhi University.
  8. In-service courses for H.S.A.s in physical science held at IASE, Trichur and Thiruvananthapuram
  9. Workshop in preparation of question bank for physical science, SCERT, Thiruvananthapuram.
  10. Subject Expert- Kerala Public Service Commission
  11. Paper Setter for B.Ed. and M.Ed. Degree Examinations for different universities.

Journal Articles Published

  1. Powell, R. J., Rajan, K., Reed, D. B. & Scott, L. D.  (February, 1991). The impact of California’s special Education- Pre-referral interventions and alternative assessment on Ethno-linguistically diverse students. Riverside, California: California Educational Research Co-operative.
  2. Mitchell, D. E., Rajan, K., Hanson, E. M., & Henry, W. A. (September, 1992). Parent and community satisfaction with public education. Riverside, California: California Educational Research Co-operative.
  3. Hanson, E. M., Henry W. A., & Rajan, K. (Winter-spring, 1993). “Do parents feel they know what’s going on at school”. Vision,18-20. Riverside, California: Riverside County Office of Education.
  4. Rajan, K. M. (1994). Science Teaching. Beyond product and process paradigms. Journal of Indian Education. 20(4),  37-44. New Delhi:  N.C.E.R.T.
  5. Rajan, K. M. (1996). A Comparative study of three modes of presenting analogies in chemistry. Perspectives in Education. 12(4), 215-229. Bharuch, Gujarat: Society for Educational Research and Development.
  6. Rajan, K. M. (1997a). Analogy: Its meaning, function and classification. S. B. Academic Review, 6(1), 51-55. Changanacherry: Centre for Research.
  7. Rajan, K. M. (1997b). Physical Science Study Committee: A Look Back. Indian Educational Review, 32(1), 99-107. New Delhi:  N.C.E.R.T.
  8. Rajan, K. M. (1998). Instructional use of Analogy: a Review. Perspectives in Education, 14(4), 223-234. Bharuch, Gujarat: Society for Educational Research and Development.
  9. Rajan, K. M. (2010) Constructivism: An approach to classroom practice. Pedagogics, 8(1), 64-68.
  10. Rajan, K. M. (2011). A science class in a California School. The Ground Builder: An Attempt to Recast Quality Education, 1(1), 22-28.
  11.     Rajan, K. M. (2011). Phenomenological primitives and learning of science. Journal of Indian Education, 37(1), 64-71. ISSN: 0972-5628
  12. Rajan, K. M. (2012). Research perspectives in science education. Asian Academic Research Journal of Social Science & Humanities, 1(2), 38-48. (Online ISSN: 2278-859X).
  13.    Rajan, K. M. (2013). Constructivist classroom:  A Pandora’s box. Journal of International Academic Research for Multidisciplinary, 1(3), 120-125,(Online ISSN: 2320-5083).
  14.    Rajan, K. M. (2013). Exploratory study of misconceptions of grade VII students in science. The Ground Builder: An Attempt to Recast Quality Education, 2(1), 17-26.
  15. Rajan, K. M. (2013). Teacher education curriculum and pedagogical practices in schools:  Putting the cart before the horse? Asian Academic Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 1(12), 24-30. (ISSN 2278 – 859X)
  16. Rajan, K. M. (2014). Lesson Planning:  The crux of teacher education. Educational Extracts, 2(1), 3-15
  17.    Rajan, K. M. (2014). Misuse of one-tail t-test. The Ground Builder: An Attempt to Recast Quality Education, (Accepted).

Minor Research Project completed

  1. Completed UGC funded Minor Research Project titled- “An exploratory study of the phenomenological primitives and misconception of students of age group 11-13 years”. Executive summary submitted to UGC in October 2011.
  2. Worked in the capacity of Research Fellow (1990-93) in three research projects at CERC, University of California, U.S.A.

Books Published

  1. Rajan, K. M. (1999). Perspectives in physical science teaching. Kottayam: Vidyarthi Mithram.
  2. Rajan, K. M. (1999). A treatise on form and style of thesis and dissertation. Mannanam, Kottayam: St. Joseph’s Training College.
  3. Rajan, K. M. (2002). Role of teacher education institutions in school management (pp. 165-172). In M. Mukhopadhyay (Ed.), Secondary education: The challenges ahead.New Delhi: NIEPA.
  4. Rajan, K. M. (2004). Science of science education. Mannanam, Kottayam: St. Joseph’s Training College.
  5. Rajan, K. M., Sindhu B. S., George, J., Netto, S. G., & Sajan, R. K.  (2008). Teaching of Physical Science: Theory, Perspectives & Practice.Mannanam, Kottayam: St. Joseph’s Training College.
  6. Rajan, K. M., Sindhu B. S., George, J., Netto, S. G., & Sajan, R. K.  (2010). Teaching of Physical Science: Theory, Perspectives & Practice (2nd rev. ed.).  Mannanam, Kottayam: St. Joseph’s Training College.
  7. Rajan, K. M. (1991). Queen of the Sacraments. California, U.S.A.: St. Mary’s J.S.O Church.
  8. Rajan, K. M. (1993). The prayer book of the Syrian Orthodox Church.  California, U.S.A.: St. Mary’s J.S.O Church.
  9. Rajan, K. M. (2003).Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum, Meladhyakshanmarum.(Vol. I) Trivandrum: Lotus Publications.
  10. Rajan, K. M. (Ed.). (2004).  Calendar of the Syrian Orthodox Church.  Kottayam: Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers
  11. Rajan, K. M. (2004). Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum, Meladhyakshanmarum (Vol. II). Trivandrum: Lotus Publications.
  12. Rajan, K. M. (2006). Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum,  Meladhyakshanmarum (Vol. III). Trivandrum: Lotus Publications.
  13. Rajan, K. M. (2007). Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church (Vol. I). Kottayam: The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers.
  14. Rajan, K. M. (2009). Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum,  Meladhyakshanmarum (Vol. IV). Kottayam: The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers.
  15. Rajan, K. M. (2010). Parishudda Manjinikkara Bavayude Malankara Sandharshanam. Kottayam: The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers.
  16. Rajan, K. M. (2011). Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum,  Meladhyakshanmarum (Vol. V). Kottayam: The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers.
  17. Rajan, K. M. (2012). Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church (Vol. II). Kottayam: The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers.
  18. Rajan, K. M. (2013). Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church (Vol. III). Kottayam: The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers.
  19. Rajan, K. M. (2016). Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum,  Meladhyakshanmarum (Vol. VI). Kottayam: The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers.
  20. Rajan, K. M. (2016). Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church (Vol. IV). Puthencruz: JSC Publications.
  21. Rajan, K. M. (2017). Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church (Vol. V). Puthencruz: JSC Publications.
  22. Rajan, K. M. (2017). Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum,  Meladhyakshanmarum (Vol. VII). Puthencruz: JSC Publications.
  23. Rajan, K. M. (2017). Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum,  Meladhyakshanmarum (Vol. VIII). Puthencruz: JSC Publications.
  24. Rajan, K. M. (2017). Mary & The Apostles. Puthencruz: J. S. C. Publications.
  25. Rajan, K. M. (2017). Holy Fathers of the Syrian Orient Entombed in Kerala. Puthencruz: J. S. C. Publications.
  26. Rajan, K. M. (2017). Martyrs, saints & prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church (One Volume with 250 biographies). Puthencruz: J. S. C. Publications.
  27. Rajan, K. M. (2017). Renowned Ascetics: Their Lives & Practices. Puthencruz: J. S. C. Publications.
  28. Rajan, K. M. (2018). Martyrs, saints & prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church (Vol.VI). Puthencruz: J. S. C. Publications.
  29. Rajan, K. M. (2018). Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum,  Meladhyakshanmarum (Vol. IX). Puthencruz: JSC Publications.
  30. Rajan, K. M. (2018). Vishudha Koodhashakalude Rakjhi (Jacob Varghese Mannakuzhiyil, Trans.). Puthencruz: JSC Publications.
  31. Rajan, K. M. (2018). Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum,  Meladhyakshanmarum (Vol. X). Puthencruz: JSC Publications.
  32. Rajan, K. M. (2018). Martyrs, saints & prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church (Vol.VII). Puthencruz: J. S. C. Publications.
  33. Rajan, K. M. (2019). Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum, Meladhyakshanmarum (Vol. XI). Puthencruz:  JSC Publications.
  34. Rajan, K. M. (2019). Suriyani Sabhayile Rekthasakshikalum, Parishudhanmarum, Meladhyakshanmarum (Vol. XII). Puthencruz:  JSC Publications.
  35. Rajan, K. M. (2023). Martyrs, saints & prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church (One (350 biographies). Changanacherry: Mor Adai Study Center.

Books Compiled & Reprinted

  1. Mor Anthoniyosinte Jeevacharithram. (2003). Kizhakkambalam: Religious Movement of Ancient Syrians (R.M.A.S.) – REPRINT
  2. Nidhraprapikkunnavarkkuvendiyulla prarthanakalum kramangalum (2004). Arthat, Kunnam­kulam: St. Mary’s Simhasanapally – COM­PILED
  3. Suriyani Sabha perunnal vishedhadivasangalil vishudda kurbanayil upayogikkavunna geethangal. (2005). Kurichy, Kottayam: Vi­shudha Magdhalana Mariyam Mandiram Chapel. – COMPILED
  4. Angel of peace – Platinum Jubilee Souvenir of St. Elias III (2007). EDITED
  5. Aphrem Basoum I (2016). The Shorter Cat­echism of the Syrian Orthodox Church. Puthencruz: J. S. C. Publications. RE­PRINT
  6. Aphrem Basoum I (2017). The Spiritual Trea­sures of Canonical Prayers. Puthencruz: J. S. C. Publications. REPRINT
  7. Huthomo of the Holy Qurbono (2016). Puthen­cruz: J. S. C. Publications. (worked with the translation and versification team)
  8. The Prayer Book for the season of Sleebo(2017). Puthencruz: JSC Publications. (worked with the translation and versification team).
  9. The Prayer Book for the season of Qyomtho(2018). Puthencruz: JSC Publications. (worked with the translation and versification team).
  10. The Order of the Sacraments of the Holy Baptism and Holy Matrimony(2018). Puthencruz: JSC Publications. (worked with the translation and versification team).
  11. The Book of the Feasts of the Syrian Orthodox Church – Part – I. (2019). Puthencruz: JSC Publications. (worked with the translation and versification team).
  12. The Book of the Feasts of the Syrian Orthodox Church– Part – II. (2019). Puthencruz: JSC Publications. (Worked with the translation and versification team).
  13. The Book of the Feasts of the Syrian Orthodox Church – Part – III.(2020). Puthencruz: JSC Publications. (Worked with the translation and versification team).
  14. The Book of the Order of service of Burial of the Syrian Orthodox Church. (2020). Puthencruz: JSC Publications. (Worked with the translation and versification team).
  15. The order of the Funeral Service of Men, Women & Children. (2020). Puthencruz: JSC Publications. (Worked with the translation and versification team).
  16. The Order of the Blessing of a House & The order of the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick: According to the Syrian Orthodox rite. (2021). Cheeranchira, Changanacherry: Mor Adai Study Centre. (Worked with the translation and versification team).
  17. The order of the Prayers of the Great Friday and The Order of Veneration of the Holy Cross: According to the Syrian Orthodox rite (2021). Cheeranchira, Changanacherry:  Mor Adai Study Centre. (Worked with the translation and versification team).

Papers Presented

  1. Mitchell, D. E., Rajan, K., Reed, D. B., & Scott, L. D. (1992). Parent and community satisfaction with public education. Round Table presentation at the AERA Annual meeting, San Francisco, U. S. A.
  2. Rajan, K. M. (1998). Students’ pre-instructional understanding of content and pedagogy of the 21st century. Paper presented at the Eleventh Annual Conference of AIAER, held at G.H.G.Harparkash College of Education for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, Ludhiana.
  3. Rajan, K. M. (1999). Lesson planning and its implications for curriculum development.Paper presented at the World Conference on Teacher Education for Excellence, held at Marathwada College of Education, Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
  4. Rajan, K. M. (2001). Role of Teachers Education Institution in school Management.Paper presented at the National Conference, held in NIEPA, New Delhi.
  5. Rajan, K. M. (2006). Research in curriculum development: A theoretical Framework.Paper presented at the International Seminar on Holistic Education held at Mar Theophilus Training College, Thiruvananthapuram.
  6. Rajan, K. M. (2010).  National Seminar on “Total Quality Management in Teacher Education” organized by Avila College of Education, Edacochin
  7. Rajan, K. M. (2012). Community involvement in curriculum development.Paper presented at the UGC sponsored state level seminar held at Mount Tabore Training College, Pathanapuram.
  8.       Rajan, K. M. (2012). Exploratory study of misconceptions of grade VII students in science. Paper presented at the Silver Jubilee cum annual conference of AIAER held at Rayat & Bahra College of Education, Sahauran, Mohali, Punjab from 17-19 November 2012.

Research Guideship

M.Phil. Awarded – Sunitha, R. (2008) “Construction and standardization of an achievement test in chemistry at +1 level”, Bharathiar University.

Ph.D. Awarded – co-guide –Thomas, P. J. (2010) “A Study of the Administrative Problems of the Heads of Higher Secondary Schools of Kerala State in Relation to their Leadership Behaviour and Teachers’ Attitude towards Educational Administration”, Annamalai University.

Four Ph.Ds. were awarded under my guideship at School of Pedagogical Sciences, M. G. University, Kottayam.

Vision

My present focus is to write about Martyrs, Saints & Prelates who are commemorated in the Syrian Orthodox Church and also to make available English translations of the liturgical texts, prayers and interpretations for the benefit of the young generation who are not able to read or understand Malayalam.

My vision in teacher education and teaching is to improve the quality of teaching-learning process in general and that of physics and chemistry in particular.  As a research guide my vision is to promote quality in the content and process of research that will enhance the quality of teaching-learning processes.  With this vision in mind, I am engaged in guiding research, writing books, publishing articles and presenting papers in the area of science teaching.