Shri Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Shri Justice K.T. Thomas,
Reverent Thomas K. Oommen, Moderator, Church of South India,
Reverent Thomas Paikad, Treasurer, CSI, Madhya Kerala Diocese, Kottayam,
Prof. Anna John, former Principal, St. Mary’s College, Manarcad,
Dr. Jegy Grace Thomas, Principal,
Smt. Jessy Varghese, Headmistress,
Shri M.U. Thomas, President, Parent-Teachers Association,
Kumari Kavya Krishnan, School Chairperson,
Priyappetta Adyapakare,
Priyappetta Raksha karthakale,
Priyappetta Vidyarthinikale,
Sahodaree Sahoranmare
Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram.
It gives me great joy to inaugurate the Bicentenary Celebrationsof Baker Memorial Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Kottayam,which is known to be the first of its kind in the country.
Let me at the outset, congratulate the school management, staff and students on the notable progress this institution has achieved over the last two hundred years.
At this moment of pride and joy, let me also bow in reverence to the memory of the Late Amelia Dorothea Baker, wife of the Late Rev. Henry Baker (Senior), who started this school in the year 1819 and to the generations of teachers who have blessed this institution through their scholarly presence, during the last two centuries. In such an auspicious moment, it's only natural that we feel the unseen presence and blessings of those teachers, especially those who are no more with us.
The history of Baker Memorial Higher Secondary School, is closely linked to the contribution of Christianity and Christian missionaries to education in Kerala. The story of this school also throws light on the history of modern education, especially, the education of girls in Kerala. While we celebrate the bicentenary of this school, we are also acknowledging its role in the transformation of Kottayam into a city of letters, Aksharanagari as it is known.
It is said that when you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you are educating an entire family. And, when you educate a girl child, you are educating the future of a nation. Therefore, the noble intentions behind the establishment of a school for Girls, especially at a time when educational opportunities were denied to girls, is to be seen as a social revolution. The growth of Baker’s from a classroom with just six girls to a higher secondary institution with over 1400 students also points to the social acceptance gained by the progressive values upheld by this school. With the motto of Love Never Faileth, it has been empowering girls with the strength of education.
I have been informed that the Baker Memorial Higher Secondary School is credited to be the first school to implement a school uniform to convey a sense of equality among the students. More importantly, it was the first school to start a Guides unit, in 1952, to popularize the concept of social service among students.
All of us are aware that Education has been considered a fundamental right, but the true implementation of this right has always been a fight against the numerous hurdles. The biggest stumbling blocks had been the prejudices that families held about girls. Some considered girls as slow learners, suitable only to be married off. Sadly, there were even affluent families which thought of the education of girls as a waste of money. And, even in this 21st century, seven decades after Independence, women are facing discrimination in the social, political, legal, economic, or familial spheres.
Though girls outdo boys in education and in almost all areas, there is a tendency not to acknowledge their progress. The institutions like Baker Memorial School should work towards inculcating in the girl - students, a strong sense of equality and an awareness about their rights as citizens. Our girls must be empowered to face life by fighting any form of discrimination, be it at home or school or in society. Only if we have socially aware and educationally empowered girls, can we put an end to gender discrimination in our society.
Education is not preparation for life; in fact, it is life itself. There are many people in history who were never the products of any academy or school. Their education was mainly from the society, which gave them valuable lessons in democracy, social justice and moral values. I would stress that education should enable students, especially girls, to keep their eyes and ears open to the pulse of the society. For this, every school must encourage social interactions for students, so that they would think of improving the lives of people around them when they grow up.
In this knowledge-driven society, it is certainly important to make maximum use of the modern facilities in updating our knowledge and skills. Our future depends on our ability to rise to the demands of the new environment, which stresses on knowledge and employability skills. Today, there is a lot of emphasis on upgrading the life-skills of the youth and so, the institutions for Girls should also take a genuine interest in such activities so that there will not be any gender-imbalance in terms skills. Let us not forget that modern Education is now considered incomplete without training in the 21st century skills.
I understand that as part of the bicentenary celebrations, Baker School has planned a year-long programme that includes building of homes for the needy, facilities like new laboratory and library etc. It is certainly good that programmes for academic and cultural empowerment of the students have also been planned.
As a person hailing from Judiciary, I think it is my duty to remind the teachers and management of this school that children should be smart not only in academics and technology but also in the knowledge of their rights as well as fundamental duties. I hope the school would take up as a Bicentenary project, an awareness campaign among students about the fundamental duties mentioned in the Constitution and about Child Rights which no institution can deny our children.
The Bicentenary is also a time to bank on the support of the former students of the institution. I am certain that many of the former students of this school have been contributing to society in their own creative ways. I hope the school would benefit from their cooperation in the coming years and future jubilees.
Let me once again wish the Baker Memorial Higher Secondary Schoolgreater strength to inspire and initiate our girls to become more vibrant participants in the progress of our nation.
I compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner and wish the students, parents, staff and teachers all the best.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Thank You
Jai Hind
