History and Evolution of Women’s Education in Kerala*

One of the most significant characteristics of the renowned Kerala model of development has been the advancement of women in the field of education. The relatively high level of educational status enjoyed by Kerala women and the revolutionary changes in her socio-economic status is indeed an inspiration and envy for her counterparts in other states of India.

A century and a half go, education of women was considered profane and immoral. Social prejudice against female literacy and education was widespread at the dawn of 19th century. This prejudice was strongly rooted in the socio-economic and religious conditions prevailed at that time viz- child marriage, cast prejudices, slavery, Sati, ban on widow marriage, devedasi system, during system. At that time, even though there were some ezuthupallis or matts for imparting education - girls and low caste children were not given admission in these schools.

During the first quarter of the 19th century, several missionary societies worked for the cause of education for women in Travancore, Cochin and Malabar. The London Missionary Society, the Church Mission Society and the Based Evangelical Missionary; Society were prominent among them. The starting of separate schools for girls and the introduction of co-educational system were the two important contributions of missionaries to the development of education in Kerala. Though, their main intention was to propagate religion, their work indirectly improved the educational status of the women.

The first school, of girls was established by Johanna Mead (Mrs. Mead) in 1819 at Nagercoil. Her full name was Johanna Celestina Horst. Johanna was the first lady missionary of South Travancore. This was the beginning of the earliest systematic attempt in the field of women’s education in Kerala. Then they stared schools in several places at Neyoor, Trivandrum, Parassala, Quilon, Vakkom and Attingal.

The missionaries found that education was one of the means to raise women folk from their low status in the society. For Higher education Scott Christian College was established at Nagercoil and it provided higher education to women also. Amelir Baker was the pioneer of girls’ education in North Travancore. She started a school for girls in Kottayam in 1820. This was the first girl’s school of the CMS in Travancore. In Malabar, the first school for girls was opened by Julie Gundert of Basel Evangelical Missionary Society (BEMS) in 1839 at Nettoor in Tellicherry.

The missionary showed particular interest in the development of female education irrespective of caste of creed. Free boarding, food and clothing provided at the beginning was a blessing to the slaves and poor girls.
Inspired by the missionaries, the government of Travancore took the responsibility in 1904 for imparting primary education to all children between the age of 5-10 years. In 1864, the Travancore Government itself started the first government girls school.

* Extract from:
1. History and development of Education of Women in Kerala (1819 – 1947), Hepzi Joy (1995)
2. Status of Women in Kerala – A Report based on Sample Studies, Kerala women’s Commission, 2002