The rulers in Kerala were
convinced of the need for education. The western missionaries made good use of
the favourable situation and established schools. The pioneers in the education
field included London Missionary Society (LMS) who were active in South
Travancore, Church Mission Society (CMS) based in Central
Travancore and Basel German Evangelical Mission in Malabar. But it
required a humble school which Kuriakose Elias Chavara established in Mannanam
to be a game changer in the Kerala scenario.
London Missionary Society (LMS)
The London Missionary Society’s
main centre was in South Travancore. Rev. Mead who was part of LMS was a
pioneer in female education. He spent more than half a century in educational
work in South Travancore .
Church Mission Society (CMS)
The focal point of the activities
of the Church Mission Society was in Kottayam. In 1821 a grammar school was started
at Kottayam. The wives of Church missionaries played an important role in initiating
female education. The Christian missionaries also started schools in
Mattancheri and Thrissur. In 1818 Rev. J. Dawson opened an English School at
Mattancheri and in 1837 Mr. Brandenburg
started an English
School at Thrissur.
Basel German Evangelical Mission
The main Centers of Basel
Evangelical missions were Calicut
and Tellicherry. In 1848 a Primary School was established at Kallayi which
later became Malabar
Christian College .
The Brennan College of present had a humble
beginning in 1856 as an English school
at Tellicherry.
Swati Tirunal and English Education
Swati Tirunal was born on 16th
April 1813 as the Son of Rajarajavarma Valiya Koil Tamburan and Gouri Lakshmi
Bai. He was genius with proficiency in eighteen languages. Being aware of the
importance of English education, he opened an English school at Trivandrum in 1834.
The Advantage of English Education
The Kings and family members were
interested in English. It was a royal language. As the British were ruling it
created opportunities for employment and gave privilege and respect to the
society. But the slaves had a different
story to tell.
Education of the Slaves
The low caste people lived in a
pathetic situation in the eighteenth century. They were uneducated and were
treated like animals. Education was a privilege and exclusive right of higher caste people.
In 1850 Anglican Bishop T. G. Rogant visited
Thiruvathamkur and was disheartened at the sight of the wretched situation in
which the low caste people were in. With the firm conviction that all are equal
in front of God, he established educational institutions for them.
Even though the Government of Kochi and
Thiruvathamkur appreciated missionaries' education, they later turned against
giving education to slaves. The influence of higher caste people is said to be
behind such a change in mind.
Chavara Model of Education
In the midst of raging opposition against education
of slaves from government and at a time when education for different castes under
a roof was impossible, Kuriakose Elias Chavara did the unthinkable at Mannanam.
He established an education institution where a Nair teacher taught Sanskrit
(considered as the language of gods!) to the children of all the caste who sat
in the same class without distinction. It was indeed a revolution, the ripples
of which can be felt even now.
none of the historians and the authorities acknowledged this.
ReplyDeleteIndia can achieve 100% literacy if every temple and mosque start a new school and admit the children of all caste
ReplyDeleteMore books, articles, images, videos, prayers, etc., On Saint Chavara available at :- www.chavaralibrary.in
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