BIRTH OF ENGLSIH EDUCATION
One day in 1920 Chakattu Tommen Chacko went to CMS Church parsonage at
Mallapally; Rev. W.O. Oommen was the parish priest. There was another
gentleman visiting him. As soon as Chacko entered the parsonage, the priest said;
“Chacko is going to shoot me; he has been requesting me to start an English
middle school at Punnaveli”. The visitor was none other than the Inspector of
schools of the District. The visitors said: “even if you were to apply for a school at
Punnaveli and send an application to the Education department now, it may not
possible to start one of this year. But I shall do one thing. I shall visit the place,
inspect the site, make necessary recommendations to educational authorities and
see what could be done.”
The following day the Inspector accompanied by the parish priest visited
Punnaveli. He was shown an area (the present site of the Junior school) of about an
acre of land full of shrubus and trees. The inspector jokingly remarked: “I it to
teach monkeys? However, on his recommendation the place which would have
been ideal one to rear ‘monkeys’ (according to the inspector) become the CMS
English Middle school.
The jungles cleared, site levelled, plans were afoot to start a block of class rooms.
In the meantime, the first class- Preparatory Class – was started in the old church
building.
Among the early pioneers who helped with the building construction, two named
stood very names stood very clearly in the minds of everyone. They were
Thommen Chacko of Chakkatu, and Mathen (Kochooty) of Adachilamakal. Brick,
cutters were brought from Kandanad, near Karnakulam (80km) from Punnaveli;
they were accommodated at Chakkatu. Chacko meticulously planned details of
construction and supervised the work, while Kochooty able supported him in all
efforts. It was very evident that all communities – Christians, Hindus and
Muslims – cooperated wholeheartedly with the project.K.A Mathai (kaipuraidom) who had been teaching in CMS English School
Mallappally for a number of years was appointed as the first teacher of the new
school. Owing to the delay in his transfer to Punnaveli, C.I Mathai
(Cheeramattom) who had appeared for FA examination and awaiting result was
asking to start time school.
Running the school in an efficient manner was Mathunny’s main responsibility. He
spared no effort to locate any possible Preparatory class pupil within a distance of
about 5 to 10 km. He visited many a home; he persuaded, cajoled, exerted, note
books or even fee concessions.
So English School at Punnaveli had its beginning on Monday May 17, 1920
(Edavom 4, 1095 M.E ) with ten pupils (7 boys and 3 girls). Admission to
Preparatory class continued till May 22 nd . The total number of students was 35
which including 31 Christians, 3 Hindus and 1 Muslim; the oldest pupil was 16
years of age and the youngest 10 years old. Those pupils who studies at the various
primary schools – CMS Lower Primary School, Punnaveli, LPGSs Vaipur,
Nedumkunnam, Vadakara, Anicadu, Pathanadu, and Chelakombu – were pioneers
at Punnaveli. Records showed that one the pupils who joined Preparatory class had
already studied for eight years in a Primary School.
C.I Mathai left the school after three weeks of service to continue his collage
education.
K.A Mathai joined the school in June 1920 and continued as Head Master till July
1934, when he was transferred to CMS School Talavady.
According to the school records, the names if the 1920 batch were follows:
K.S Kurien, C.J Varughese, V.I Thomos, C.P. George, P.K Varughese , C.T
Rachel, P.M. Mariam, P.T. Tomas, P.M Rachel P.M Kurien, P.M Mathew, E.M.
Abdulkadar, T.K. Abraham, C.V Thomos, T.C Joseph, V.T. Thomos, P.I. Eapen,
C.I Achey, M.T. Thomos, V.K. Mariam, R.K. Kunjoo Pillay, V.K. Kitten, P.I.
George, P.J.Abraham, P.K. Mariam, E.J. Zachariah, P.S. Abraham, V.V. John,P.N. Neelakandan, K.S. Aley, K.S. Mariam, C.J Joseph, T.M. Mariam, M.P.
Devasiah, and P.K. Kochu pilla Variar.
In 1921, 22 new admissions to Preparatory class (18 boys and 4 girsl), and 4 Form
1(boys)) were appointed as First Assistant. The same year the school was moved
from the old Church building to the first block of building (the present site of the
old school).
The following year (1922) 16 admissions (12 boys and 4 girls) to Preparatory class
and Form 11 were made. K.A. Abraham (Avaran sir) was appointed 2 nd assistant
while C.I John became the General Assistant in the school.
The year 1923 saw the beginning of a full English Middle School at Punnveli; the
school had six teachers.
K.A Mathai, Headmaster.
K.V. Mathew, First Assistant.
K.A. Abraham, Second Assistant.
C.I. John, Third Assistant.
C.C. Itty, Drawing and Drill Master.
P.K. Varghese, Malayalam, ‘munshi’ (teacher)
A.T. Chacko, Temporary teacher for two Months.
(later priest)
V.Thomos, Peon.
According to C.P. George and P.M. Mathew ( two living pupils of the 1920 batch),
they could remember the days when pupils had to do manual labour to help with
the school construction. On a few occasions they had to go to Kavalara Moozhy
(3km) to get ‘kazhukol’ (rafters) which were donated by some kind soul. They had
to pull them though ‘ valiya thod’ and bring it to the nearest place and carry themas headload. On a few occasions they had to go Kavalara Moozhy to carry floor
tiles as well. Many of the old pupils who studied in the school till late 1940s would
still recall the days when school till teachers had to visit homes of pupils to collect
coconut leaves to thatch the school roof. In the early years thatching was done by
members of community as ‘shramdan’ while during later years it was done on
contract on contract basis. Only in later 60s school had tiled roof.
Being a Church school, the salary structure was very low. The Headmaster
received Rs. 27, the Asst. teachers Rs. 18 each, Drill Master Rs. 27, Munshi Rs. 10
while the peon received Rs. 2 only. It was known fact twelve months salary due to
paucity of funds; they were satisfied with just receiving about 4 months salary for
the year.
