KOCHI: The first English Medium School in Kerala is all set to celebrate its 200th year in 2017. St Francis Church L P School at Fort Kochi, which is also known as the Free School, however, is facing a bleak future due to the falling number of students every year. The St Francis Church School was established in 1817 by Rev Judeson, a Christian missionary, as an English Medium School. The primary aim of the school was to provide basic education to the children of British soldiers.
“That is how the school attained the status of the first English medium school in Kerala. The school was then under the management of CSI. In the initial days, it was known as Church of Elementary School,” according to K C Elizabeth, the headmistress of the school.
However, as per the instructions of the Madras Providence Government, in 1947, the School syllabus was changed and converted to Malayalam medium. Initially, separate classes were there for boys and girls. Now it is functioning as a co-ed school.
For the last 23 years, the School is under Corporate management. “The School was known as Free School because in the beginning, uniform, food, umbrella and study materials were provided free of cost. The practice continues to this day and that is how it still retains the name-Free School,” she added.
Classes up to seventh standard were conducted here almost four decades ago. But now, there are classes only up to fourth standard. Ten years ago, the school had 120 students . “But now in 2017, the number has come down. There are nearly 10 Schools, both aided and unaided, near the School.
In order to retain the glory and to provide quality education to the students, who cannot afford huge education expenses, we resumed English Medium six years ago,” Elizabeth added. However, the number of students keep going down every year.
Meanwhile, the School authorities have decided to celebrate the historic moment- the School turning 200 . “A special committee will be formed. We cannot afford celebrations on a grand scale. Our decision is to arrange a small gathering as it is really a historic moment,” added the headmistress.