HIGHER EDUCATION

CHAPTER IV

HIGHER EDUCATION

The high rate of literacy in South rpravaflcore created in the

minds of the elites, the desire to have a University of their own. More

over the English School at Trivandrum cI1od his Ilighnoss tue

Maharaja's Free School started in 1855 with eight students, became a

reputed institution. The demand for English education grew rapidly and

in 1863-64, the strength of the school was five hundred. In 1864, the

school presented the first batch of students for the matriculation

examination of the University of Madras,' and in 1866, a class was

formed of those who had matriculated to prepare them for the First in

Arts (F.A) examination. The school was thus boosomed into a college.

The first batch of the F.A. examination was presented in 1868 and for

the Bachelor of Arts (B-A) in 1870. In 1887, the college was affiliated

1. The University of Madras was one of the Universities in Indiafounded in 1857 with the object of the better encouragement ofHis Majesty's subjects in the pursuit of a regular and liberalcourse of education and for the purpose of ascertaining byexamination of persons who had acquired . proficiency in differentbranches of literature, science and arts and of rewarding them byacademic degrees, as evidence of their respective attainments.The functions of the three Universities - Calcutta, Bombay andMadras - were limited to examining candidates and conferringdegrees. The Indian Universities Act of 1904 provided for asystematic supervision of colleges by Universities and laid downcertain minimum conditions to be completed with by the collegesbefore affiliation could be seen.

193

to the University of Madras for courses leading to degree in Arts and

Law.'

The Holy Angels Convent opened a high school for girls at

Trivandrum in 1880 and in 1888, the school secured the honour of being

the first girl's school in South India which presented students for the

matriculation examination of the University of Madras. In 1890 the

CMS college at Kottayam was affiliated to the University of Madras and

became a II Grade College. The Nagerçoil Seminary presented

candidates for matriculation in 1875 and became a II Grade College in

1893. In 1896 the Holy Angel's Convent School was raised to a II Grade

College with the formation of the F.A. class. 3 In the Sanskrit Girl's

School, when a batch of four students matriculated in 1896 Miss. S.B.

William, the headmistress, opened the FA. class, in 1897, it was given

}O Offi ition of a II ( rn(Io Col logo by lhn tin ivors i ty of'Mitdrim iii ( I ii.

came to be known as the Maharaja's College for Girls.

When the F.A. classes were started in the Maharaja's High

School, St. Joseph's Convent and the Girl's High School, Trivandrum

and in the high schools at Kottayam and Nagercoil, the college sections

in these schools were affiliated for purpose of examination to the

University of Madras. It was in this time a demand for a separate

2. University of Kerala Silver Jubilee Volume, Trivandrum, 1963,pp.6-7.

3. The college section of the Holy Angle's School was closed in 1906.

194

University was made in the Srimulam Popular Assembly.' The

Government of India's resolution on education policy issued on

21 February, 1913 had indicated a possible line of action for the

development of new Universities for each of the leading proviiices in

India.5 Therefore in 1917, the Government of Travancore issued an

order6 consisting of a committee of sixteen members with principal L.C.

Hodgson of Maharaja's College as chairman, to consider ways and

means of establishing a University for the State. The committee

submitted it's interim report in 1918, suggesting to establish an unitary

type of University. However, the committee was dissolved on 2 March,

1920. Again another committee was constituted on 15 April, 1923 with

Rao Bahadur, K.A. Krishna lyangar, deputy president of the Legislative

Council as president. The committee suggested a federal type of

University.8 Inspite of the detailed proposals of the University to be

4. Padmanabha Iyyer, Modern Travancore, Trivandrum, 1941, p.70.

5. As early as in 1882, the Indian Education Commission had hintedat the possibilities of Trivandrum becoming, in course of time, thecentre of a new University.

6. Government of Travancore, Education Department, OrderNo.E.3983, 23 November, 1917.

7. University of Kerala, Silver Jubilee Volume, pp.19-21.

8. The fundamental aim, the committee suggested, was that theUniversity to make suitable provision for higher teaching andresearch. Every teacher in the University was to be a researchworker as well, he was to awaken in the student a genuineintellectual curiosity by imbuing his teaching with the spirit ofenquiry.

195

set up in Travancore, it had not been possible to establish one as the

scheme involved consultations with other Governments of Cochin and

Malabar before a decision could be taken. Hence the Education Reforms

Committee of 1932 was asked to examine the University question 'de

novo'. The committee was, therefore, specifically required to report also

on the desirability or otherwise of establishing a University for

Travancore. The committee's finding was that: "taking all things into

consideration we feel that we are not able to recommend that any

immediate step should be taken to establish a University for

Travacore."° The committee expressed the view that before a decision

was taken for the formation of a University it was necessary to make

the existing institutions more satisfactory and organise new institutions

providing for practical course of study, directly related to the economic

and industrial needs of the state.

This reorganisation of secondary and collegiate education

recommended by the committee became a matter of urgent necessity in

the years that followed, consequent on the ;policy and programme of

vigorous and rapid industrialisation initiated by Dewan, Sir C.P.

Ramaswamy Iyer. As subservience to the requirements of University of

Madras made it extremely difficult for the state to go forward with its

9. Report of the Education Reforms Committee, 1932.

196

scheme and phuas for educational reorganisàtion and reconstruction, the

government finally decided to break away from it.'°

C.V. Chandrasekharan," Director of Public Instruction was

appointed special University officer by the government in May 1937 and

he drew up a memorandum on the proposed University. At that time

there were 282 English schools among them ninety six were high schools

with an enrolment of 37,923, potential matriculates numbered 4,563.

There were ten colleges affiliated to the University of Madras, six

government and four private. Thus the University of Travancore was

established and incorporated under the Travancore University Act I of

1937 by a royal proclamation issued by his Highness Sri Chitra Tirunal

Maharaja on the auspicious occasion of his twenty sixth birthday

on 1 November, 1937.12 The Act was framed broadly on the basis

of the principles and proposals set forth in the

10. University of Kerala, Silver Jubilee Volume, p.26.

11. C.V. Chandrasekharan was a distinguished educationalist, and aneminent Oxonian. The government selected him as ambassadorof education to be sent outside the state to study the thoderntrends in educational ideas with special reference to the workingof Universities in India, submitted his report which was ofconsiderable help in the attainment of the object in view, namelythe University of Travancoré (K.G. Vijayalekshxnj, EducationalDevelopment in South India, New Delhi, 1993, pp.22-26.)

12. Ibid., p.27.

197memorandum.' :' The Maharaja was pleased to be the Chancellor, Sir

C.P. Ram aswamy Ayer, Dewan of Travancore was appointed the Vice-

Chancellor, and C.V. Chandrasekharan assumed the charge of Pro-Vice

Chancellor, A. Gopala Menon was appointed the Registrar and also

principal of the Maharaja's College.

A beginning in the direction of implementing the

recognition of University education recommended by the Papworth

Committee was made in 1946-47 by passing an ordinance instituting the

University previous examination. The appropriate authorities then

started working on the details of the Three Year Degree Course that

was to follow. 14 Admission to Junior Intermediate Course was stopped

from 194816 and the first examination in the faculties of arts,science and

oriental studies of the Three Year Degree Course was started in 1949.10

However intermediate and the Two Year Degree Classes with the

13. Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, Dewan of Travancore made it clearthat the University would not be a mere replica of the Universityof Madras. He envisaged the University not only as an institutionfor the mere advancement of learning and knowledge as had beengenerally conceived but as one existing for the general service ofthe community when young men of the state could be trained toplay their part worthily in the various schemes for industrial,agricultural and commercial development.

14. Minutes of the Meeting of the Syndicate of the University ofTravancore, 2 February, 1948, p.13.

15. ibid., 2 March, 1948, p.40.

16. Memorandum submitted to the All India Universities Commissionby the Syndicate of the University of Travancore, 16 Decmber,1948, p.1.

198

Pre-University and the Three Year Degree Course with the first year of

the Three Year Degree Course conducted simultaneously was

recognised.

In 1952, the Secondary Education Commission appointed

by the Government of India Act, recommended the abolition of the

Intermediate Course. It suggested for the introduction of a One Year

Course leading to the University previous examination and a Three Year

Course for the first degree level. This recommendation was a revival of

the courses which were experimented on earlier by this University. In

November 1954, the Senate resolved that the new system be brought

into force. Accordingly, the University 'previous course' was started In

1956, and stopped the admission to the Junior Intermediate Class.

At the time of the establishment of the University of

Travancore - the Scott Christian College, Nagercoil - is the only college

functioned in South Travancore. 17 As many private agencies came

forward to start new colleges, the University of Travancore amended the

relevant 'section 20' of the Act as follows. "The University may with the

prior sanction of our government admit any institution to the privileges

of the University and any such institution so admitted shall

17. The other three mofusil colleges existed in Travancore under theChristian missionaries were the Union Christian College, Alwaye,the St. Berchmen's College, Changanacherry and the C.M.S.College, Kottayam.

1.99

retain such privileges subject to the proviaion of the statutes and

ordinances.'18

It is in this background the working of the existing college

and new colleges established in South Travancore by the Christian

missions is dealt with.

scori CillUS'i1AJ' COLLEGE, NAGEItCOIL

The Scott Christian College, named after Septimus R.

Scott, 19 was started by the LMS in the year 1893. The Central School or

seminary it was called, housed in a mud walled shed, started by William

Tobias Ringeltaube at Myladi in 1809 had the distinction of being the

first English school in the erstwhile princely State of Travancore. it was

finally shifted to Nagercoil in 1818 by Charles Mead. James Duthie who

took charge of the institution in 1860,20 had a more abiding interest in

it and played a vital role in raising the seminary to a college. While in

England in 1889 on his penultimate furlough, Duthie obtained the

sanction of the directors of the LMS for raising funds for a college in

South Travancore.

18. University of Travancore Amendment Act, 1946.

19. Septimus R. Scott, an English philanthropist was one of thedirectors of the LMS.

20. To the galaxy of missionary and European educationalist whoserved in this seminary during the years upto 1860 belongCumberland, Mault, Rev. William Miller, W.B. Addis, Roberts,Rev. Charles Miller, Pattison, Rev. J.W. White House, Rev.Russel, Rev. John. Joll Dennis, Rev. Samuel Jones, Rev. S.O.Newport and Alfred Thompson, Scott Christian College, PlatinumJubilee, Nagercoil, 1967, p.1

200

The main aim of the institution was to establish an

educational society in the southern most part of the country to impart

higher education to the people irrespective of caste and creed. For this

the society promised to give an educational missionary for the college

and some friends of the society promised large sum of money. The chief

among them was Scott. In the year 1893 the seminary was raised to a

II Grade College affiliated to the University of Madras. The first batch

of students consisted of six Christians and six non-Christians. The

progress of the college during the earlier decades of the twentieth

century was an evidence of an evergrowing efficiency and progress in

the various departments to meet the needs of the changing and flexible

society of the time.

A commission of enquiry presided over by Lindsay, Master

of Billiol came to India to study the working conditions of Christian

colleges in India and recommended that some colleges should be

strengthened and the rest be scrapped, to enable concentrated Christian

efforts on a few specific places only, instead of dissipating energies over

a broader area. The leading citizens of Nagercoil invited the members

of commission to a party, had a discussion with them and pressed that

the college should be raised to a I Grade, so that the students

might be benefited by more years of Christian teaching. It was

then decided that the college should continue as a 11 Grade

201

College. 21 Lord Irwin, the Viceroy with Lady Irwin visited the college on

9th December 1929, and expressed satisfaction over the progress of the

college. 22 In 1938 when the University of Travancore was started the

college was affiliated to the University of Travancore.

Since 1948 a period of expansion commenced. The necessity

of more land and buildings was acutely felt and there was a

considerable thinking on the ways of growth for the college. Since this

period A. Nesamony, who played a distinguished role in church and

public life took up the responsibility for the aliround progress of the

college. In March 1948 the College Council appointed a bursar and

defined his (1-Uties.23 The council decided that the bursar would receive

the fees and other income of the college and keep them in safe custody.

He should also hold all the prizes and scholarship funds, reserve fund

and building fundY' rllII(i council also decided that the l)rincipal should

21. A member of the commission asked a Hindu citizen - who by theway was the District Judge of the locality - how the college hadinfluenced by him by the way of Christian teaching? Thegentleman replied to the amazement of the commission th'at 'thefact that he choose to dine with them was the. effect of Christianteaching, more years of Christian teaching would produce greaterresults"... Nagercoil breathed a sign of relief when it was knownthat it was spared and the Wesely College at Madras and theFindlay College at Mannaragudi were scaped by therecommendations of the commission (Platinum Jubilee Souvenir,pp.30-41).

22. Ibid.

23. Minutes of the College Council No.S 18130, March 1948.

24. The Provident Fund was kept with the treasurer, LMS Nagercoil.

202

conduct all correspondences of the college and deal with all non-financial

matters; and the bursar should make disbursements on the authority of

the principal. Further it was decided that the bursar should consult

with the principal if at any time the principal should authorise

disbursements that exceed could be incurred. If not, the expenditure

should be postponed pending a decision by the college council. Taking

into account of the progress of the college in 1950, the college was

approved as a I Grade College by the University of Travancore.

J.E. Dennison, was the first principal of the college as well

as the first educational missionary sent by the LMS to the college. He

served as principal from 1894-1898 and in 1898 he left to London.

Duthie 25 was in charge of the institution till the arrival of the next

principal from England. Rev. George Parker, the second educational

missionary assumed charge in January 1901. He was fully equipped for

the work by training and experience in England. The college had a rapid

progress under him. He equipped the library and secured permanency

in the staff by employing local talents and by increasing the

emoluments. When Parker left for England on his first furlough in April

1909 the LMS sent Rev. Sydney Cave, who was young and fresh from

25. The Golden Jubilee of Duthie's service was celebrated by thecollege on March 15, 1906. The Duthie memorial scholarship andthe Duthie Memorial Library were the outcome of the celebration.It was by this time the news came that his almamatér, theUniversity of Aberdeen had conferred on him the Doctor ofDivinity. Duthie died on July 4, 1908 and his mortal remainswere inferred in the local cemetery, Nagercoil.

203

the University, to be incharge of the college. Parker returned in

February 1911 and resumed charge. Cave was again in charge from

November 26, 1915 to the beginning of November 1917 when Parker

was on his furlough. Cave later took the Degree of Doctor of Divinity

and became principal of a Theological College in Britain.

Rev. 11.11. Eastaff' was appointed to assist Parker. He

arrived on 3 February, 1921 and tookover the principalship in June of

the same year when Parker left on furlough. On the return of Parker in

November 1923 Eastaff left the college where he worked with great

success for over two and a half years and took charge of the Divinity

School in Trivandrum. In 1926, G.W. Trowell, was sent by the LMS

Board to act as vice-principal and to be in charge of the Science

Department in the college.

On 1. February, 1.927, G.H. Marsden Tripos of the

University of Cambridge and one who had good experience in England

and Egypt took charge as principal. He admitted regular batches of

women students27 from 1927 onwards. In 1928, he introduced an annual

medical inspection of students. His services were appreciated by Lord.

26. To Eastaff goes the honour of having started, 'the Scott ChristianCollege and School Magazine' which was published every termduring his period of service in the college.

27. There had been sporadic cases of women students being admittedto the college from 1919, the total number of women students till1926 ccning up only to five.

204

lrwin,the ViceroyY8 G.H. Marsden's great interest in astronomy brought

him the rare distinction of being chosen to observe and take recordings

of the solar eclipse in Japan in 1936. G.H. Marsden went on furlough in

the year 1954 and T.Y. Harris served as acting principal in the vacancy.

He contributed his share to the growth of the college, particularly in the

purchase of eight acres of land near the college and further in

beautifying the college campus through landscaping and gardening.

During the period 1894-1898 the ground floor of the

western most block, then , intended to accommodate the college classes

was constructed. In 1899, the chief event was the completion and

opening of the new college building, the gift to the mission of Septimus

Scott and family at a cost of Rs.7946. The college building was opened

on 31 August, 1899. 0 Parker built the science block for the college

during 1908 and 1910 from the grant from the Government of

Travancore. An extensive plot of ground was purchased for the

recreation of students with money donated by Parker's father-in-law,

M.E.D. Pochin of Manchester. With the growth of the college, the need

28. Lord, Irwin, the Viceroy when paid a visit to the college withLady, Irwin on 9 December, 1929 wrote, I saw enough to satisfyme of the value of what is being done and of the spirit that liesbehind and inspires the work.

29. Scott Christian College, Platinum Jubilee, p.8.

30. Annual Report of the LMS, Travancore District Committee, 1899,p.6.

205

for extra accommodation was felt and a single storeyed building was

constructed to provide lecture halls for English, history and

mathematics groups.

It was proposed to upgrade the college into a I Grade

College and a special committee was set up in 1944 for the purpose with

G.H. Marsden as the convener. 31 The committee at the outset recorded

it's view that a very great deal of progress made by the churches that

the LMS founded in Travancore was due to the educational work of the

churches and the mission and, that it's leadership owed an especially

great debt to the Scott Christian College. And the college had served the

whole population and not the Christians only. Therefore, anything that

would increase the usefulness and service and influence of the gollege

would be a great benefit to the people of the whole area. The committee

felt that if the college became I Grade one, it might be well equipped;

the work must be well done; it might compare favourably with what was

done in other colleges of similar standing. It must be on the excellent

new site, 32 and the curriculum of its Post- intermediate classes must

include science subjects as well as subjects such as mathematics and

history which need no laboratory accommodation.

31. Minutesf the Mission Council No.T4124, August, 1944.

32. The new college has land of thirty acres on the outskirts ofNagercoil.

206

The committee felt that to start such a scheme would cost

large sum of money eventhough the land was already available and

some of the materials required would be obtained by demolishing some

of the existing buildings. The committee also assumed that the eastern

portion (about one and a half acres) of the then college compound and

the whole of the area (about eight areas) then used by the two hostels

and two bungalows would be sold, the rest about one and a half acres

of the college compound being transferred to the Scott Christian High

School; and that the money raised by these sales would be available

towards the cost of the new scheme. The committee further suggested

the Church Council to collect a substantial sum with in five years in

order that a I Grade College might be established as a celebration of the

150th anniversary of the starting of the LMS in 1795, an appeal could

be made also to the people of South Travancore generally and to the

LMS in England, and details of the cost of th scheme could be worked

out. But the committee could not present to bring the detailed proposals

which it was asked, largely because the whole structure of University

education might at an early date be remodelled.

The Mission Council appointed a second special College

Committee in 1946 to consider the project for making a college - a

Degree College-and for starting a Pre-University school. The committee

33. Minutes of the Mission Council No.T4022, January-February,1946, p.45.

207

emphasised hat unless the college took the Dpportunity to go forward

with the programme of starting a Degree College, it would cease to exist

and never had the chance to start again. The committee also appraised

the resolution of the Travancore Christian Educational Council passed

at it's meeting on 11 August 1945 and found that the council gave

cordial wishes to the plans of the College Committee in making the

college a Degree College.34 This resolution had received the approval of

the Central Board of Christian Education in India. The convener was

asked to enquire the Southern District Council and the Nagercoil Home

Church whether they could suggest any ways and means by which

money could be raised for this project. The Church Committee on 4th

December 1946 placed resolutions before the church meeting which were

adopted agreeing to the sale of the properties at Vadassery and Kottar

and give one Itilch rupees out of the sale proceeds to the college

scheme. The Directors of LMS sanctioned the sale of properties in

Nagercoil in aid of the college scheme.36 For the sale of properties a sub-

committee was constituted with Messers. Gunamany, Kesari,

34. The Travancore Christian Educational Council passed theresolution: 'The Travancore Christian Educational Council givesits cordial good wishes to the plans now under consideration atKottayam and Nagercoil to develop the colleges there to theDegree standard, with associated Pre-University Schools".(Minutes of the Mission Council, January-February 1946, pp.47-49.)

35. Third Report of the Special College Committee, September 1946.

36. Fourth Report of the Special College Committee, July 1947.

208

4.Nesamony, M. Satyadas and G.H. Marsden. The committee appealed

to the Missicn Council to grant Rs.1,00,000 from the accumulated funds

and tho grii n I 1)0 I'' ul in four I nIIrnunt. For cot loclirig s UI)Ncripiiol)H

from outside, the committee appointed a College Appeal Committee of

twenty five members with A. Nesamony as the president, Stanünatha

Iyer as the vice-president and the principal as the secretary and

treasurer, and the representatives of both Christian and non-Ch'ristian

leaders in South Travancore- 37 The committee suggested to form a

College Endowment Fund and the revenue from the Tamarakularn

coconut plantation would form a major source of the fund.

Though much progress was not made in the construction of

additional buildings till 1947, a period of expansion commenced since

1948. The necessity of more land and buildings was actually felt when

there was considerable thinking on the ways of growth consequent on

the assumption of the office of the bursar by Rev. R.H. Eastaff. As a

first step necessitating to raising the college to a Degree College it was

decided to increase the strength of the intermediate classes so that

before 7 Ju.ne, 1949 the accommodation for the science subjects might

be doubled. For this purpose the required building be constructed at an

estimated cost of Rs.50,400. The necessary equipments, chemicals and

37. Fourth Report of the Special College Committee, July 1947.

38. Ibid.

209

apparatus to a cost of Rs.56,300 was to be provided. The total capital

expenditure on the intermediate section was estimated at Rs.106,700.

The Building Committee proposed. 39 (1) a two storey building for the

science classes on the northern side of the then science block, similar to

it and attached to it. (2) a lecture ball to accommodate 150 students but

as an extension to the then English lecture hail between it and the

college office. (3) additional accommodation in the hostel. For the Degree

College, separate provisions were made:4°

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

An W. shaped building estimated to cost

Shed, latrine etc.

Furniture

Equipment, apparatus, chemicals

Books

Total

2,07,600

10,000

39,000

1,07,600

29,500

3,93,700

Total capital expenditure for the whole scheme was Rs.5,00,400.

The University Commission consisting of Papworth, Vice-

Chancellor, P.R. Parameswara Panicker Registrar, and Gopala Menon

formerly Director of Public Instructions and the then principal of S.D.

College AUeppy, appointed by the Syndicate of the University of

Travancore visited Nagercoil on 5 Marsh 1949 and inspected the

39. Minutes of the Building Committee No.8382 November 1948.

40. Ibid.

210

buildings of both the college and the high school and the plans and the

other essential details of the development scheme. The commission was

satisfied with the plans. But it insisted to remove the high school to

another site. The commission also stated that the second commission

would have to visit the college to sanction the additional seats in the

intermediate classes after the accommodation and equipments were

ready. A similar commission would have to visit the college when

arrangements were ready to start the Degree Course. The College

Council requested the Education Board to remove the high school as the

public were expecting admission to the Degree College and because of

the fear that the schemes of a Degree College would be collapsed if this

condition was not satisfied. Finally, the college and the Finance

Committee accepted the proposal of the transfer of the school .4' The

Education Board considered the request of the College Council and

authorised the corporate manager to get approval from the government

for shifting the school to the Whitley Hostel compound from 1950.42

But the College Committee resolved on 23 March, 1950 that

the principal should not apply for the University permission for degree

classes in June on a promise that the new building would be ready by

the end of October, 1950. The appeal for subscription was made by the

College Council on the promise of a Degree College in June

41. Minutes of the College Council, No.ST.9098 March 1949.

42. Minutes of the Education Board No. ST.9 105, March 1949.

211

1950. Duri.ig 1949-50 the building committee spent Rs.15,000 for

apparatus and equipments and Rs.22,000 for gas plant, gas-house and

gas-holder. In April 1950, a contract for Rs.1,15,000 was given for the

foundation and downstairs of the new building which was to provide a

hail, a staff room and accommodation for several degree classes. The

foundation stone of the new building was laid in January 1950 by Rev.

Sidney M. Berry, chairman of the International Congregational Council

and former chairman of -the LMS. On 15 May, 1950 the University

Commission inspected the site and expressed their approval of what was

already done and of the plans. On 13 June, 1950 another comthission

recommended to the Syndicate for allowing to have degree classes.

Accordingly on 26 June, 1950, the college became a I Grade College, a

notable forward step, which was long hoped for and for which the LMS

Were devoutly thankful.44

The College Council recommended to buy the Nagercoil

building and land formerly used as the distillery at a short distance

north of the college property and separated from it by only a small

field.45 There was direct access by a public road. The distillery property

comprised of a walled area of about five and a half acres containing

eight large stone buildings and just over two acres of a tank lying

43. Report of the College Building Committee, 1949-50.

44. Ibid., June 1950.

45. Minutes of the College Council, ST.1459, December, 1951.

212

immediately to the north of the walled area. The building and compound

wall were vcry strongly built of rubble and lime. The buildings were

eminently suitable for the college hail, laboratories and library and

could be used in conjunction with the accommodation in the college

compound. The land and buildings were purchased by using the first

instalment of Vadassery land sale and the surplus profit of the

Tamarakulam fields and Nagercoil lace industry already accumulated.

Thus sufficient buildings were made available for the Degree Courses.

The Indian Universities Act of 1904 intrbducecj

intermediate examination course in the place of FA examination course

and the college, accordingly adopted the same course. In 1909 the college

implemented new curriculum. In 1926, the natural science was

introduced, but there was regrettable decline in the number of history

students. The college ofTered Tamil, Malayalam, Sanskrit, 1-[indi, Arabic

and French as second languages for the intermediate courses. The

subject groups offered were;

L Mathematics, physics and chemistry

2. Physics, chemistry and biology

3. Chemistry, biology and psychology and

4. Ancient history, modern history and psychology.

The year 1950 saw the introduction of degree classes in the

college and the first majors introduced were mathematics and history,

213

and this wa followed by chemistry in 1952-53, economics and physics

in 1954 and zoology in 1956.

The staff members who did meritorious service to the

college during the period of Parker between 1901 and 1908 were C.S.

Daniel, G.N. Nehemiah, V.S. Krishna Iyer, Paul Appolos, Tamil pandit,

Subrainonja Sastri, Malayalam pandit, Sthanoo Sastri, Sanskrit pandit.

A. Vetha Siromoni, M.P. Samuel, P.S. Harthara Sastrhi, Maláyalam

munshi. A. Zacharja, A.J. Nayagam, demonstrator, Vasudeva Poduval,

S. Ramaswamy Iyer, A. Adkikesava Iyengar, I.K. Padmanabhan,

Vythianatha Iyer, S. Parameswara Iyer, A. Gunamony, T. Joseph, J.

David, P. Ramanathan, demonstrator, Sankaranarayana Sasthri,

Sanskrit pandit, J. Karnalam, S. Sthiya Vagesswara Sastri, Sanskrit

pandit, Veeraraghava Sarma and I. John. G.D. Samuel worked as writer

in this college.

The college which was growing by leaps and bounds .under

G.H. Marsden's fostering care was fortunate in having an excellent staff

members like A. Vetha Siromony, A. Zacharia, R. Kris hnamachari, T.K.

Narayana Iyer, S. Sundareswara Iyer, R. Parameswara Sastri, T.S.

Sethuraman, A.P. Mathew, S.P. Ragland, A.J. Cherian, G.P. Selvam,

K.C. Ramaswamy, N. Thanoo Iyer, B. Arumai Ray, J. Fenn. George,

J.M. Arthur, J. Cyril Librarian, S. Arunachalam, clerk, M. Velupillaj, V.

Venkita Subban, E.K. Joseph, D. Joseph, D. Giles Lal, Ben J. Titus,

Narayana Iyer, H.D. Moses, S. Subrahmoniya Moosath, and M.R. Roy

214

Daniel. By 1943 there were twenty one staff members, nine of them

belonging to non-teaching section." In the earlier period the Scott

Christian College was catering to the needs of the F.A. students. A brief

account department-wise on the working of various faculties in the

college especially after the introduction of degree courses is dealt with

here.

Department of mathematics

C.S. Daniel was in charge of the department of

mathematics. In 1950 B.Sc. degree course in mathematics was

introduced with Arumairaj as professor. In 1952 A.N. Johnson was

appointed as professor besides Arumairaj. After the demise of professor

Johnson, S. Jayasingh joined as lecturer in 1955.

Department of Physics

V.S. Krishna Iyer working as the head of the department

of physics and chemistry prior to 1924. There were only intermediate

classes and then there were only a handful of students. The Inspection

Commission of the University of Madras took exception to the

arrangement and insisted that the departments of physics and

chemistry should be separated and controlled by two different

individuals. Accordingly in the academic year 1924-25 two separate

46. Scott Christian College Platinum Jubilee Souvenir, p.14.

47. Ibid, pp.14-15.

215

departments were created.48

Subsequent to the retirement of V.S. Krishna Iyer in 1932,

J.M. Arthur became the head of the department. The department of

physics was upgraded to the B.Sc. level in 1954 with J.M. Arthur as the

professor.

Department of Chemistry

Chemistry lecturers from Madras State were unwilling to

come and serve in Scott Christian College since it was II Grade College.

So in May 1925, G. Parker, the then principal requested Fr. A. Haes,

professor of chemistry in the St. Joseph's College, Trichinopoly to

suggest a suitable hand to run the department of chemistry and the

latter recommended the name of R. Krjsbnamacharj° He joined as the

head of the department of chemistry in the year 1952. Chemistry degree

course was introduced in the year 1952. The laboratory was well-

organised for forty eight students to work at a time. Krishnamacharj

was promoted as professor of the department of chemistry in 1952.

Natural Science was introduced for the intermedjath class

in 1926, with A.P. Mathew as the head of the department. He left the

college in May 1928 and K.C. Ramaswamy took charge of the

department. After the departure of Ramaswamy in 1929, A.J. Cherian

Was appointed as head of the department. According to the original

48. Ibid., p.16.

49. Ibid.

216

programme cf the college the B.Sc. Degree Course in zoology should

have been started in 1950. But due to lack of- funds and consequent

delay in the construction of the new building, B.Sc. zoology degree

course was introduced only in the 1956 with V.J.I. Grant' as professor.

The department of zoology with all modern equipment was planned by

V.J.I. Grant in 1950 itself. The department of zoology had a good

museum with almost all representative types of fauna. Most of these

specimens were collected locally by V.J.I. Grant and his colleagues.5'

During the period 1894 .1895, when J.E. Dennison was the

principal, tennis and badminton till then unknown in the part of the

country were introduced. In anticipation of the University scheme where

by physical training would at the beginning of 19J0-31 becwuu

compulsory for all students and must be under the guidance of a trained

physical director, G.P. Selvan was appointed as physical director in June

1929.52 But very soon he left the college and so his place was taken by

J. Fenn George in 1934. Puring his period, a lively programme of games

was organised and so enthusiastically did the students participate in

these games that from among them blossomed forth outstanding

50. V.J.I. Grant came to this college from the Zamorin College,Calicut in 1950.

51. After the introduction of the degree course, V.!1.i.L Grant went toEngland for two years for advanced research studies with thehelp of the leadership Training Scholarship sponsored by theLondon Mission Board.

52. Report and Accounts of the Mission Council, 1931.

217

sportsmen & , d leaders in the country. In 1948 Fenn George left the

college and Gould Jacob acted in the vacancy for a year. In 1949 the

college looked after five .hundred students for compulsory games. In

1951 the college volley ball team reached the finals of the University of

Travancore Totamament-54 Hence, inspired, dedicated and far-sighted

missionaries while founding the college gave it a well thought out and

comprehensive curriculum of literary and scientific education. To

complete the picture, they saw to it that proper facility was given for

games and sports.

Though the college was started with twelve students in the

year 1893, the strength increased to twenty five in 1899- 56 There was a

uniform increase in the total number of students upto the year 1929.

The students included Hindus, Christians and Muslims. Women

students also came forward for the college studies. During the period

1930-1940 there was a considerable increase in the enrolment of

students. In 1930 the total number of students was 138, including five

Muslims and three girls.5° Christians constituted thirty six per cent. In

the year 1940, the total number of students was224 including one Jian

student. The maximum number of women students numbering twenty

53. Platinum Jubilee Souvenir, p.20.

54. Ibid.

55. Annual Report, Travancore District Committee, 1899, p.6.

56. Ten Years of Church and Mission in Travancore, 1931-40,Nagercoil, 1942, p.65.

218

three was re orded during the year 1939. During the decade 1930-1940

the average strength of the students was 182 where as the average

number during the previous decade was forty two. In June 1948 there

were 113 students including eight women in the senior intermediate

class and 152 in the junior intermediate class including seven women.

In the academic year 1940-50 the college admitted 340 students

including thirty one girls in the junior intermediate class as a policy of

admitting maximum number of students as allowed by the University.

After 1950 the strength of the college increased substantially consequent

upon the introduction of degree classes.

The Scott Christian College maintained uniformly good

results over other colleges in the State. in 1907 the result in F.A

examinations was a notable one. Twenty two students passed out of

twenty eight students sent to the examination out of class of thirty

one. 67 In the subsequent years, the college produced satisfactory results

in the intermediate examinations.

Parker, the first principal, t}ough he himself was a

historian, wished that science men should be at the head of affairs in an

expanding institution and so persuaded the Board of Directors of the

LMS in London to get an English man as superintendent of laboratories

for the college.58 G.W. Trowell, of London University came to Nagercoil

57. Annual Report of the Travancore District Committee, 1907.

58. Annual Report of the college 1925, p.3.

219

in October II 25 for this purpose.59 And G.H. Marsden of the CambridgeUniversity was appointed the principal. 60 G.H. Marsden took special

interest for development of the science department and remodelled the

laboratories.6'

During the period of Parker P.S. Jacob, L. Devanesan and

D. Appavoo served as librarians. The library of the college was equipped

with upto date volumes which ran up to 4000 in 1924. Being a great

lover of books, G.H. Marsèlen, took pleasure in adding new books to the

library every year, so as to keep pace with the developments in science

and arts so much, so the college had the distinction of Possessing one of

the best libraries among the private colleges in South India. In 1948-49

the library contained 12000 voIumes.°

In 1907 there were 110 boarders in• the college hostel. The

number rose to 140 in 1908. But there was no special living room for

boys and they had to live in the school rooms.The use of same buildings

for classes, sleeping and eating was extremely inconvenient and a great

hindrance to organisation. This was the time when a donor in England

59. R. Krishna lyer, op-cit., p.40.

60. G.H. Marsden was a scientist to the core. He was an Hnoursman in physics with mathematics and chemistry as subsidiarysubjects.

61. Annual Report of the college, 1926, p.5.

62. Annual Report of the college, 1949, p.7.

220

donated 1001 for building the hostel. The college hostel accommodated

students belonging to all communities.64

MAR IVANIOS COLLEGE, NALANCHIRA, TRWANDRIJ1J

The Mar Ivanios College under the management of

Syro-Malankara Church was started in June 1949 with junior

intermediate in history and junior BA classes in economics. Archbishop,

Mar ivanios of the Syro-Ma1anka Church was the founder and patron

of the college. In response to his inborn urg& for educational work and

as a natural and inevitable consequence of the great number of schools

under Archbishop Mar Ivanios, the idea of a I Grade College began to

take form.

The archbishop made correspondences to the Government

of Travancore and the University of Travancore for granting permission

to open a I Grade College at Pattern. The University appointed a

preliminary Inspection Committee consisting of H.C. Papworth, Pro-

Vice-Chancellor of the University, A. Narayanan Thampi, Director of

Public Instructions and Rajya Seva Previna K.L. Moudgil, Dean,

Faculty of Science to examine the proposals of the archbishop. The

commission visited the site proposed for the college on 1st April 1947,

examined the plans for the buildings, discussed the details of the

63. Platinum Jubilee Souvenir, p.15.

64. In 1948-49 in the three hostels there were twenty five Chritians,three Muslims, three Hindu Maravas, three Hindu Nadars, twoHindu Pallans (Vathiri) one Vanian, one Vellala, three Nairs oneEzhava and one Pulaya.

221

scheme with the archbishop and submitted it's report to the Syndicate

of the UnivcL-sity. The Syndicate at its meeting held on 16 April, 1947

considered the report be accepted and communicated to the archbishop.

As such the Syndicate requested the government to sanction permission

of the archbishop to open a I Grade College at Pattom.°5 Even as late as

1948 the idea of a college was too presumptuous and ambitious for the

limited means of the archdiocese. The archbishop plotted the land with

an area of 170 acres in Bethany Hills at Nalanchira in Trivandrum. The

college campus was unique in the state, both in the extensive jrea it

covered and the enhancing panorama it commanded all round from the

elevated spot.

The construction of the college building was started in the

Bethany Hills. Fr. Seraphion was incharge of the construction work. In

1952-53 one building was completed. The main building was rising to

the second floor."' Hence the college building, the olakèttiambalam

(thatched shed) of 1952 had grown up to be a landmark in the city with

its four floors and twenty eight halls - a crown adorning in the Bethany

65. Education Cover File No.1575/47, dated 24-6-1947.

66. Through the windows of the college building and forms the longcorridors, one could see the blue ridges of the Agasthiakoodam onthe eastern horizon and stretching between them and theBethany Hill (Annual Report, of the college 1951-52, p.3).

67. Annual Report of the college, 1952-53, p.5.

222

Hills."' A bi ngalow, about three furlongs away from the campus,

belonging to the archdiocese was placed under, the disposal of the college

for the use of the members of the staff. Staff quarters known as Goretti

Home within the campus was constructed in 1953. In 1956, the

construction of buildings was completed. The students and the teachers

had borne the dust and din incidental to building work going on

overhead or in adjacent rooms. The expansion alone cost the

management three to four lakhs of rupees.

Fr. Benedict was the first principal of the college. His

guiding hand shaped the college well in its infancy. He served as

principal during the period 1949-50 to 1950-51. In his place Fr. N.A.

Thomas, who returned after four years in United States of America

where he was working for a Doctorate in Economics, joined as

principal-69 After five years of meritorious service as principal

NA. Thomas left the college at the beginning of the academic year 1956-

57 and Fr. Francis Kalacherry, formerly vice-principal of the St.

Berchman'g College, Changanachei-ry, was appointed.

Fr. Benedict was appointed vice-principal. When he was

appointed as the auxiliary bishop to the archbishop in the year 1952-53

Fr. Jose Mathew, was appointed vice-principal. But his services was lent

to Mar Theophilus Training College in 1956.

68. Annual Report of the college, 1952-53, p.5.

69. Fr. N.A. Thomas was the headmaster of St. Mary's High School,pattern till then.

223

Curriculum

The college was started in June 1949 with the junior

intermediate history groups and BA. class in economics. From the

beginning of the academic year 1950-51, the college was affiliated to the

University of Travancore with the additional subjects of Hindi,

mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology for.the intermediate class.

For intermediate classes, the college offered group I with mathematics,

physics and chemistry; group II (a) with biology, physics and chemistry,

group 11(b) with biology chemistry and agriculture; biology, chemistry

and logic, and group III with two batches of World history, and Indian

history with logic. With the promotion of the junior students to their

respective senior classes, the college began to work with all the four

classes in intermediate and B.A. In 1951-52 the college applied for

sanction for B.Sc. groups in mathematics and botany. In the academic

year 1952-53, B.Sc. class with botany main and zoology subsidiary

groups,7° was introduced. In 1953-54 B.Sc. mathematics, B.Sc. zoology

and B.Com. degree courses were introduced. The college got affiliation

for B.Sc. zoology from the beginning of the academic year 1955-56.'

From the year 1955-56 the University of Travancore took momentous

decision to introduce the Pre-University and the Three Year Degree

70. Annual Report of the college, 1952-53, p.3.

71. Ibid., 1955-56.

224

Course. The 'ollege too started the Pre-University course and it also

applied for Three Year B.Sc. physics and B.Sc. chemistry courses. 72 The

science laboratories were furnished with up-to-date equipments in 1950-

51. Fr. Hadrian, extended his assistance to the science departmen.73 In1951-52 a library was organised and housed in a temporary hail. K.

Thomas was appointed as librarian. During the year 1953-54, the college

added 807 books to the library.74

The college granted a college union for the student In

1950-51, five associations were begun. By 1952-53 there were

associations for history, economics, science, Malayalam, Hindi and

Syriac subjects. English literature and Debating Society, Arts Society,

comprising Dramatic Club, Painter's Club, Photographic Club, and

Music Club were also formed. The college formed the New Man

Association and it's activities were limited to. discussion on general

subjects having some bearing on religions and morality. A Catholic

Students Union had also been started in the college. In 1954-55, the

college had altogether twelve associations and sixteen clubs. 7 ' Of these,Agri -horticulture Association was the result of the interest which the

students had in agriculture.

72. Annual Report, 1955-56.

73. Report of the principal, 1952-53.

74. Annual Report, 1953-54.

75. Ibid., 1954-55.

23

Jn 1949-50, the strength of the college was 145 and it rose

to 620 in 1950-51 with the promotion of the junior students of the four

classes of the intermediate to their respective senior classes and B.A

degree course."' The strength rose to 1000 ha 1952-53. The number of

students in the year 1953-54 was 951. In 1954-55 the strength of the

students in junior and senior intermediate classes and B.A., B.Sc.

classes stood at 1101 and it rose to 1163 in 1955-56.77 The students on

the roll in 1956-57 was 1170 inclusive of 377 students admitted in the

Pre-University classes. The admission to the junior classes of the

intermediate course was not done as the University introduced the Pre-

University and three year B.A,/B.Sc,/B.Com degree courses in 1956-57.

The first batch of the science students for the intermediate

examinations was presented at the end of the academic year 1951-62. 711

In March 1952, the only first class in B.A. degree in economics of the

University was from this college. In the examination of March 1953 the

college secured one of the, three first classes in B.A. economics and was

placed second in rank. There was eighty four per cent pass in part I

English. It was thirty per cent more than University average. Hundred

per cent pass was secured in Hindi, Tamil and Syriac for the BA.

76. Annual Report, 1949-50 and 1950-51.

77. Ibid., 1955-56.

78. Report of the principal, 1951-52.

226

degree examination. In 1954 the college had scored five per cent passes

more than the previous year. Subject-wise passes had been outstanding

in some subjects as in intermediate world history forty seven out of fifty

five (eighty six per cent), physics one hundred and forty three out of one

hundred and seventy eight (eighty per cent) biology hundred and six out

of hundred and twenty five (eighty five per cent) and chemistry hundred

and twenty eight out of two hundred and eleven (sixty one per cent). An

objective survey of the results of the University examinations showed

that the college had been adding almost five per cent every year to the

total percentage of the pass in the intermediate examinations .79 The first

batch of botany B.Sc. students was presented for the University

examination in March 1953. In part III botany ninety seven per cent

came out successful. In 1955 the college scored ninety one per cent pass

in British history, eighty nine per cent in physics, eighty nine per cent

in biology, eighty four per cent in malayalam and sixty nine per cent in

chemistry. In B.Sc. botany twenty out of twenty nine passed with one

second class. In B.A. economics percentage of pass was seventy nine, in

B.A. Hindi seventy seven, Malayalam eighty five, B.A., B.Sc., B.Com .,

English sixty five, which was the highest percentage in the University.

Percentage of complete pass in B.A/B.Sc. was sixty five. The only second

class for B.Com. (preliminary) was from this college. In March 1956, 319

79. Report of the Principal, 1953-54.

227

students app 'bared for the Pre-University examination, fifty for the B.A.forty eight for the B.Sc. and thirty eight for the B.Com . course. The

percentage of complete pass for the intermediate course was thirty eight

per cent. There were thirty eight per cent pass in English, eighty six per

cent in Malayalam, cent per cent pass in Tamil, seventy seven per cent

pass in the mathematics, physics, chemistry and fifty three per cent

pass in biology, 9griculture, chemistry group. There were eighty four per

cent pass in B.Sc. botany and ninety two per cent pass in B.A.

economics, seventy per cent pass in the B.Com. preliminary class, sixty

seven per cent pass was secured in Hindi of final B.Com . and seventyseven per cent for the B.Com. subjects in the year.8°

A brief account on the teaching staff members worked in

each department in the college are dealt with department wise., In the

academic year 1950-51, T.Y. Harris, Joined as professor and E.J. Cam

as lecturer in the department of English. Three additional tutors were

appointed in the same year A. Sivarama Subrahmonjya Iyer, a teacher

of long experience in different colleges and who retired as the head of

the department of English in the University College, Trivandrum joined

as the head of the department of English in 1951. In 1952 V.K. Kurian,

M.T. John and A.G. Xavier left the college Fr. C.T. Geevarghese

Panicker joined as lecturr; and T. Kunjachan and T.K. Duraiswaniy as

80. Annual Report, 1952, pp.4-5.

2281.

tutors. K.G. Georgekutty, one of the old students was appointed as

lecturer in 10'64. Fr. George Panicker went to USA for higher studies in

1955. In the same year T. Kunjachaj i left for government service. George

Mathew, P. John and S. Moses joined in the department. But in 1956-57

George Mathew, R.A. Raj an and T.K. Kunjachan left the college and so

Fr. Andrews P. Sadasivan and A. Sankaranarayan were taken in.8'

P.A. John, with two assistants took charge of the

department of biology in 1950. Austin Anselm, took charge of the botany

section later in the year vith the introduction of botany course for B.Sc

degree J. Srinivian, a senior teacher was appointed as the chief of the

department of botany. Abraham was appointed as lecturer in the place

of A.N. Nampoothiri who joined in government service. K.J. John was

appointed in the department of zoology as additional demonstrator.

During the academic year 1954-55 I.M. Scaria and K.P. Ravindra.n were

appointed as lecturers and Chacko and N.C. Joseph as demonstrators.

In 1955 K.P. Sebastian took charge as head of the department of

zoology. In 1956-57 K.V. Natarajan was appointed in the department of

botany in the place of Fr. John Mathew. 82

In the depaitment of language, hindi was newly started in

1951-52 with E. Muthuswamy Iyer as lecturer. In the departrçient of

Malayalam two additions and on the Syriac, one addition were made in

81. Administration Report of the college, 1956-57, pp.8-9.

82. Ibid., 10.

229

the same year. Thottam Rajasekharan Nair was appointed in the

department of Malayalam in 1952. P.J. Joseph took the place of

Muthuswamy Iyer in the department of Hindi. C.J. Chacko left the

service in 1954-55 for research work in Malayalam. So V. Kunjusankara

Pillai was appointed as lecturer. Chemmanam Chacko of the department

of Malayalam went for research work in 1955 and K.V. Chacko was

appointed in his place and K.J. Job joined as additional lecturer in

Hindi. S. David was appointed as lecturer in Tamil.

In 1951, A.V. Varkey took up the charge of the department

of physics. V.V. Abraham, Zachariah Mathew and P.V. Oomman, joined

in the academic year 1951-52. In 1953 K.M. Karuppan, P.K. John,

Zachariah Mathew and P.V. Ooznrnan were appointed as lecturers. On

the retirement of A.V. Varkey, Earnest Stephen was appointed as the

head of the department and E.J. Jacob, Thomas George, V.J. Chacko

and S. Ramakrishna Iyer were appointed as demonstrators. K.

Viswanathan Pillai, a senior lecturer was in charge of social service

league in the college. 84 E.J. Jacob left the college in 1954 to take up

work under the government of India, V. Govindan Nair was appointed

instead. K.M. Varghese and C.S. Abraham were appointed in 1955 in

the place of A.J. Michael, E.J. Jacob and K. George respectively, who

83. Administration Report of the college, 1956-57, pp.8-9.

84. Ibid, 19b4, p.6.

230

went for higher studies. In 1956 Mathappan Sebastain and C.S.

Abraham were retrenched with the corning up of the Pre-University

Course.

The department of chemistry was headed by J. Fenn and

he was assisted by three other young scientists, K.M. Antony, and P.J.

Eapen. But they left for higher studies in 1951. Hence O.P. Abraham

and C.P. Xavier were appointed lecturers and V.0 Joseph and

Chitambara Subrahmaniya Iyer, were appointed as demonstrators.8° In

1954 C.P. Xavier left the college and joined in the Moovattupuzha

College and another lecturer Srimulanathan went to Calcutta for higher

studies.

In 1950 K.A. Isac joined in the department of history as

professor George Catlin, one of the greatest authorities on political

science joined the college as its provost. Lawrence Lopez, was added in

the department in 1951-52. T.L. Varghese and K. Rajayyan were

appointed as additional lecturers in the academic year 1954-55. But in

1957 K. Rajayyan and another lecturer Yesu Retna Nayákom left the

college.87

85. Administration Report of the college, 1956, pp.11.

86. Ibid., 1952, p.7.

87. Ibid., 1956, p.11.

231

In 1952-53 Fr. Phillip C. Pantholil, lecturer in the

department of logic was transferred to the archbishop's house and

appointed secretary to archbishop and his place was occupied by

K.C.Mathew. He retired from service in 1955.

With the introduction of the B.Com Degree Course in the

academic year 1954-55. P.J. Mathew, J. Joseph and A.G. Mathew were

appointed as lecturers. V.J. Joseph left the service and M.V.

Subramonian was appointed in the vacancy. In 1956 M.J. Joseph too left

and Antony Swamy was appointed as lecturer."

The agriculture course for the intermediate class was begun

in 1954-55 and S. Rengaswamy lyangar, formerly District Agricultural

Officer, Trivandrum, was appointed as lecturer and C. Antony as

demonstrator. S. Rengaswarriy lyangar and C. Antony left the

department in 1955 and George David and P.C. Eapen were inducted.

George David then left the service and K. Satyadas joined and C.J.

Venkata Subban took charge of the department in the aéademic year

1956-57.°

The college provided courts for volley ball and badminton

in the year 1950-51. In 1951-52 attempts were made to construct a large

88. Administration Report of the college, 1956,pp:11.

89. Ibid., p.12.

90. Ibid, 1957, p.6. ..

232

stadium and it reached the final stage in the construction at the end of

the year. The playgrounds were also expanded in the same year. Some

of the students achieved emarkable ranks in the Olympic Sports and

Inter-collegiate Tournaments in the year 1952-53. Students attended

Inter-University Football and Hockey Tournaments at Annamalai. The

college completed two more tennis courts in the year and formed clubs

for football, hockey, volleyball, basketball, cricket and tennis. Students

were selected for Inter-University Tournaments. In hockey the college

won the 'B' section Trophy of the Hockey League and 'B' section

Basketball Tournament.

V.S. Kuncheria was the physical director from the

beginning of the academic year 1954-55. In the year the college won

three cups at the Inter-collegiate Tournaments at the Fr. Barthalomeo

Memorial Tournaments and the Challenge Cup of the Amatuer Athletic

Association of Attingal. The college represented the Travancore Cochin

State in the National Tennis Championship (juniors) held at Calcutta.

The college contributed its share in the State Olympics Games, scoring

eleven points and won championship trophy and stood third in the Inter-

collegiate Athletic meet held at Ernakulani. In 1955. V.S. Kuncheria,

went to YMCA College of Physical Education Madras, for training in

physical education and hence J.D. Isac was appointed instead. The

college annexed the Barthelomeo Memorial Cup for the scond year in

succession and won theSouth Zone finals in the Intr-collegiate

233

Tournaments. V.S. Kuncherja came back in 1956-57 and took charge.t"

With a view to provide congenial surroundings to the

students, the management of the college intended to make the college

a residential one. Fr. Seraphion, continued with his splendid

construction work and two blocks of the hostel was completed in 1950.

It gave accommodation to 300 students. The principal and thre staff

members resided in the hostel. In 1951 two magnificent blocks for the

hostel with the most upto date facilities were constructed. In 1952, 275

students of all creeds and communities were accommodated in the hostel

ië. thirty seven per cent of the students were staying in the hostel, ten

per cent in the recognised hostels, thirty five per cent either with

distant or near relatives and eighteen per cent in private lodges. In 1953

there were 276 inmates in the hostel. Seventy five students stayed in

the non-collegiate hostel, 100 in private lodges. The hostel record of the

academic year 1954-55 shows that there were 276 students stayed in the

hostel.

The college introduced NCC and ACC units' in the

academic year 1954-55. The college had.a platoon of forty seven cadets

for the NCC unit. In December 1954 the NCC cadets participated in the

camp held at Kalamacherry and the . ACC cadets in the camp at

Kottarakkara.

91 Administration Report of the college, 1956, pp 13

92. Ibid.r ''

234

The social service league formed in 1953-54 was merged

with ACC. Four members of the staff, E.J. Jacob J.A. Moeria, A.J.

Varghese and P. John completed their officers training course held at

the NCC headquarters, Trivandrum in June 1954. In 1955-56 the college

NCC platoon was adjudged the best in the annual camp held at

Chalakudy from among the colleges in Trivandrum.93

MAR ThE OPHILUS TRAINING COLLEGE

Mar Theophilus Training College, Trivandrum came into

existence both as a loyal response to a genuine need of the country and

as an effective fulfillment of the wishes of a man of vision, Benedict Mar

Gregorios, archbishop of Trivandrum. The college was started in 1956

in the memory of the late Rev. Theophi1ose. At the time the task of

training teachers for the high schools was shouldered by four

government and two private training colleges in the State. Hence the

need for more teachers training institution was deeply felt and the Syro-

Malankara Church rose to the occasion and decided to contribute its

share in this field. The late Archbishop Mar Ivanios wished to see an

educational complex established on the Bethany Hills. Mar Ivanios

93. Administration Report of the College,. 1956, pp.13.

94. Theophilus; means lover of God.

95. Administration Record. 1957, p.1.

235

College was the first step towards the materialisation of this noble

vision. His successor Archbishop Mar Gregorios shared the vision of

Archbishop Mar Ivarlios. The Mar Theophilus Training College was

housed in a building which formed a part of Mar Ivanios Co1lege.°

With the starting of the Mar Theophilus Training College

with in the campus of the Mar Ivanios College, the services of Fr. Jose

Mathew vice-principal of the Mar Ivanios College was lent to the

Training Col1egeY But he left in September, 1956 for higher studies in

USA, 98 and Marian C. Itty lype was substituted. But in the beginning

to organise the college an able and experienced leadership was found in

the person of T.Y. Harris, who had a long record of excellent service to

his credit as headmaster, Divisional Inspector of Schools and lecturer in

the Government Training College, Trivandrum and Scott Christian

College, Nagercoil. Hence he was appointed the first principal of the

college .°

The subjects offered during the first year of the

commencement were teaching in English, history natural science,

physical science and mathematics. 100 The college had T.Y. Harris,

96. Annual Report of the college 1956-57, p.3

97. Ibid.

98. Ibid., 1956-57.

99. Ibid.

100. College Calendar, 1956-57.

236

F. Fenn, K.S. Sleeba, V.S. Kuncherja and N. Gopalan Achari in its roll

as teaching staff.'01 The college admitted eighty students, 102 both gents

and females in the academic year 1956-57. Of the eighty students,

twenty seven persons were teachers working in various schools.' 03 V.S.Kuncherju Who got diploma in physical education and who was serving

in the Mar Ivanios College took charge of the physical education in the

College.

Harris, as the first principal of the Mar Theophilus

Training College, set an exceptionally high degree of academic and

disciplinary tradition for the college and laid the institutional foundation

of the college.

From the above analysis it is seen that Christian missions

concentrated in higher education also so that students in large numbers

attended these colleges rather than going to more distant colleges for

higher studies. 104 The LMS not only raised the Scott Christian College

to the I Grade College but brought men of excellence for the benefit of

101. Staff Attendance Register 1956-57.

102. Admission Register 1956-57.

103. Interview with Sbeeha, Principal Mar. Theophilus TrainingCollege, 9.12.1996.

104. When the matriculation examination of University of -Madras wassubstituted by the School Leaving Certificate. Schrri in 1908,and afterwards the potential number of student ligible forcollege admission had not been too small to provid a-Universityeducation.

237

the students of South Travancore. The Syro-Malarij(ara Church started

degree classes in various disciplines and started Mar Theophilus

Training College to produce trained teachers for the schools. Hence

these three colleges-one at the extreme south and the two at the

northern part of South Travancore catered the needs of the majority of

the prospective candidates for higher education.