Government Lower Primary School, Purappuzha, in Idukki district is all set to celebrate its sesquicentenary (150 years). Believed to have been set up by Ayilyam Tirunal, a former ruler of the royal family of erstwhile Travancore, the school is testimony to his efforts to make education universal so that its fruits reached lower strata of society.
The school is one of the two believed to have been established by him. It came up in an area populated by people belonging to the backward castes under the then Pakuthi Kacherry (village office). The other school was believed to be at Karimannur, near Thodupuzha. The Purappuzha school currently has 70 students studying in both English and Malayalam medium. The school is currently housed in a building set up in the 1950s, though the two-room building where it started no longer exists. The school’s origin has a link to the abolition of slavery in 1853 and the universalisation of education.
Though much of the history of the school remains vague, Purappuzha was then a well settled area. Chungam, a nearby place, the name of which was possibly derived from the tax collected by the rulers, hints at the region’s close links to royalty.
Sesquicentennial programme convener K.R. Sasi said the importance of the school should be understood in the context of social changes that took place in Kerala society after education became universal, leading to the empowerment of those who were oppressed. Mr. Sasi said the prehistoric trade route from the high ranges to the Muziris was through Maniyarankudy and Purappuzha. The present Kotta road was a pointer to a flouring civilisation in earlier times. “Opening the school led to social uplift of the backward castes.”
As part of the celebrations, the history of the school and its contribution towards social uplift will be compiled.
School Principal P.S. Sushma said the year-long programme, to begin on January 30, would include a Guruvandanam, a reception to retired school teachers, and an alumni meet. Former students of the school who are now farmers would also be given a reception.
