When England-educated landlord Moyan Kunhiraman of Thalassery thought of using his savings to start a school for girls in the early 20th century, the idea only evoked lukewarm response in his native town. Many were averse to the idea of imparting modern education to their daughters and that too by setting up an exclusive school.
Undeterred, he deposited a huge amount with the Madras Presidency to start a girls’ school in any area of its choice.
There begins the history of Government Moyan’s Higher Secondary School in Palakkad, the largest of its kind in the State in terms of student strength. Started in 1918, the school is now preparing to celebrate its centenary by organising a year-long programmes.
Started as a primary school at Vadakkumthara, it was shifted to the present campus at Tharekkad as a secondary school for girls later. “The school is a huge success at a time when many government schools across the State are facing closure because of low enrolment. This is the third consecutive year it is retaining its status as the school with the highest student strength in the State. It is one of the largest schools in India,” says M.B. Rajesh, MP, whose daughter is studying at the school.
In comparison with Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School at Cotton Hill, Thiruvananthapuram, which was the school with the highest student strength in the State till three years ago, Moyan’s has 355 more students this academic year. The student strength of Moyan’s is 4,574. The upper primary section has 1,192 students, the high school section 2,542, and the Plus Two 840.
Principal P. Anil said the centenary celebrations would include completion of the ongoing digital classroom project, organising seminars, and launching initiatives to enhance learning quality. The school was functioning in two shifts. There were 57 divisions in classes VIII, IX, and X of the school.
“The large enrolment has not affected our academic standards. We achieved 98.4% success in Class 10 examinations last year. At the Plus Two level, the result was 99%,” said Rama C. Menon, the Headmaster.
