D. S. Sanal Dhas*
* Ph. D. Research Scholar, Department of History, S. T. Hindu College, Nagercoil.
Abstract
The London Missionary Society wanted to promote education in their field of activities besides spreading the gospel message as they thought the education is also important to sustain their effort. With this in mind they sent a few educational missionaries who devoted their effort for the cause of education. The earliest of European Missionaries to begin pro-selytization work in Travancore were the Roman Catholics. They worked mainly among the lower caste particularly the fishermen community of the coastal belt. The Catholic Missionaries greatly interested in the spread of female education. As a result of their educational activities, they received substantial aid from the Government. The two important Protestant Agencies that operated in 19th Century in Travancore were the Church Mission Society (CMS) and the London Missionary Society (LMS). Both of them took keen interest in the spread of western education. The Church Missionary Society commenced its work in Travancore in 1816 as a Missionary of help to the Syrian Church.
Introduction
The London Missionary Society wanted to promote education in their field of activities besides spreading the gospel message as they thought the education is also important to sustain their effort. With this in mind they sent a few educational Missionaries who devoted their effort for the cause of education. The earliest of European Missionaries to begin pro-selytization work in Travancore were the Roman Catholics. They worked mainly among the lower caste particularly the fishermen community of the coastal belt. The Catholic Missionaries greatly interested in the spread of female education. As a result of their educational activities, they received substantial aid from the Government. The two important Protestant Agencies that operated in 19th Century in Travancore were the Church Mission Society (CMS) and the London Missionary Society (LMS). Both of them took keen interest in the spread of western education. The Church Missionary Society commenced its work in Travancore in 1816 as a Missionary of help to the Syrian Church.
Mr. J. E. Dennison
Mr. J. E. Dennison was born on 6th January, 1864. He studied B.A. at Bradford, York, England. He was Member of Stanley Church, England. He sailed to India on 25th, November 1892. He arrived in Nagercoil on 30th, December 1892 and was in charge of Scott Christian College from 1893-1898. The College was in the old Seminary. Construction of the College building was started on 16th October 1896. Dr. J. Duthie laid the foundation stone. The building was opened on 31st August 1899. Mr. Dennison introduced tennis and badminton games hither to unknown in this area. He left the College in 1898. He married Miss Kate Derry of the Nagercoil Mission in 1898. The Dennison Street behind Women’s Christian College, Nagercoil is named after him.
Miss. Beatrice Duthie
Miss Beatrice Duthie was born on February 17th 1870. She worked with her parents, Dr. James Duthie and Mrs. Duthie. She supervised the ‘lace’ industries and the industry became very popular. She utilized the funds received by selling the lace materials to Europe to build the Duthie Girls Higher Secondary School. She took great interest to acquire the property east of the Summer Palace of Travancore Raja, the present Collectorate. She was the founder of the school. Duthie School bears her name. She was un-married and died in 1919 at an age of 49. Her mortal remains were buried in the Home Church Cemetery, Nagercoil.
Mrs. Gladys May Harris Eastaff
Mrs. Harris Eastaff was born in England on July 5th 1885. She was designated as an educational Missionary. She was appointed as the Headmistress of Duthie School in 1909. She worked among the women of Nagercoil. She was responsible for the development of Duthie School to a great extent. She was a good scholar. In 1924, she married Rev. R. H. Eastaff who was a Missionary in Nagercoil. After her marriage she continued her work in Trivandrum along with Rev. Eastaff. She was in-charge of Sunday School in Trivandrum. She returned to England and died in 1960.
Ms. Olive Morton
Ms. Olive Morton was born on February 1st 1890 in Sheffield, England. She was graduated from Sheffield University. She was appointed as the Headmistress of the Duthie Girl’s School. She was the Headmistress from 1926-1939. Under her leadership the school grew to be the pioneer girl’s school of the District. She was an efficient and able teacher. She wanted her students to be developed spiritually also. She encouraged the girls to play badminton, tennikoit, basket-ball and volley-ball. She went to England in 1950 and returned to India. She was appointed as the head of lace industry. She worked in Parassalai also. She was loved and respected by her students. She went out of her way to help the deserving students to develop their talents. She encouraged mother Dr. Mrs. Joyce Richard to get admission in the Vellore Christian Medical College by offering to pay the British one rupee as an application fees. Towards the last years of her life she lived in Sheffield. She died in the year 1983 in England. The Morton Nursery School inside the Duthie Girls School premises is named after her.
Mr. G. H. Marsden
Mr. G. H. Marsden was born in Bradford in 1894. He studied in the famous Cambridge University, England and obtained M.A. degree in Literature. He worked in Egypt during 1915-1916 as the Secretary, Y.M.C.A. then he served in England for 3 years as a teacher. He accepted the offer of L.M.S to serve as an Educational Missionary and arrived in Bangalore in 1923. He served here as the Principal of the London Mission High School for 3 years. He became the Principal of the Scott Christian College in the year 1926. Because of his hard work, B.A. and B.Sc. classes were introduced in the College. Before the commencement of the degree classes in the College, the students from Kanyakumari District had to go either to Trivandrum or to Palayamkottai for degree courses. F.A. (Fellow of Arts) a two year college course, was only available in the College.
He was an eminent scholar of English literature. He gave much importance and attention to the spiritual growth of students. He taught Scripture to the students and was interested in the development of Student Christian Movement (SCM). Unfortunately, the movement is ceased to exist now. He was very particular that the students should have holistic development. He was respected and liked by the students. His wife Mrs.Ida Marsden was dedicated to the uplift of women. She trained women in tailoring and lace industry. He went to England in 1954 to Furlough and returned in 1956. A grand reception was given to him when he returned from furlough in 1956. He fell ill suddenly when he visited Kodaikanal and expired on 1957. Marsden Street is named in memory of him.
Mr. G. W. Trowell
Mr. G. W. Trowell was born in a Town Beksly on 14th March 1903. He belonged to the Congregational Mission. He was sent from London as an Educational Missionary. He served as a Head Master of Scott Christian School for a year. He also worked as a Principal of Scott Christian College during the years 1930-1933 and 1937-1939. In 1941 he was transferred to Marthandam. He also worked in Trivandrum as a Missionary. He served as a Treasurer of South Travancore C.S.I. Synod and South Kerala Mission. He returned to England in 1953. In England he worked in Mansfield Library of Oxford University till 1968. He died on 4th March 1984. He has a son and a daughter. The Trowell Street, Nagercoil near the Hostel Ground is named after him.
Miss K. J. Mackilroy
Miss K. J. Mackilory was born on October, 5, 1907 in Eitcock near London. After receiving the University degree in Mathematics she worked for 6 years as a teacher in England. She was appointed as a Missionary in Neyyoor. She continued the good work carried out by Miss Blanched. She got herself deeply involved in the development of tailoring industry, Boarding School for the girls, L.M.S. Girl’s Schools, Primary Schools and Bible classes for the women. She also carried out Missionary work among the women. She led an exemplary life with simplicity, austerity and humility. She helped the poor children, the homeless and the destitute. She encouraged the Sunday Schools and taught the Sunday School children in an animated manner understandable to the small children. She worked through the Women Fellowship of the church. She gave food and dress materials to the poor. She was liked by all. She was a tall and agile lady. After retirement she was staying in Marthandam in a house calling it as “New India House”. She died on 18th June 1989 at the age of 83. Her house was given to the person who looked after her in her old age. Her cemetery is in the grave yard of Neyyoor Church. Mackilroy Matriculation School is functioning in Neyyoor in memory of her services.
Conclusion
An analysis of the growth of education in Travancore brings to light many important aspects and stage of development in the history of education in Travancore. Once education was the exclusive right of the people who were up in the social ladder. But this tradition underwent a through change with the introduction of English education in Travancore. With the establishment of the Travancore University the collegiate education in South Travancore was completely changed. New colleges such as His Highness the Maharaja College for women, His Highness Maharaja Sanskrit College, the College of Engineering, the Men’s College, Union Christian College, Scott Christian College and the Christian Mission Society College were established within a short period. The sudden development in education brought many changes in education, social, political, and economic fields. Further this introduced important changes in school education also. Socially, South Travancore, which was under the spell of Aryan domination, underwent to a through change due to the introduction of education to the lower class people.
Reference
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