Founders Legacy and History of Christian Matriculation Higher Secondary School
“It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life’s story will develop.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
He had to walk 2 kilometers to reach an Elementary Govt. School. He walked 8 kilometers to attend Middle School. He walked through rough country roads without any footwear. He had neither proper clothing nor an umbrella to protect him from incessant rain. He had to walk 18 kilometers daily to attend high school.
Experiencing hardships made him a stronger and determined person both inside and out. He decided that the generations after him should not suffer to receive proper education. He was willing to give away everything he had, to make this happen.
He wanted to start a school for the children of the staff in his hospital, which would also serve the needy and marginalized classes in Oddanchatram, who could not afford good quality education.
In 1969, an English Medium Nursery School was started in one of the rooms of the Doctors quarters of the Christian Fellowship Hospital where the Founders Dr Jacob Cherian and Dr Mary Cherian were staying.
Later in 1970, when the present school property was acquired through a court action, the school was renamed as Christian English School, and moved to a new premise, the verandah of an old ginning factory, with 3 classes and 16 students.
It was difficult to find teachers to come and help start an English medium school in a rural area like Oddanchatram. Mr EJ John, a very dedicated teacher from UP agreed to come and become the first principal of the School. From the beginning itself, certain basic foundations and good traditions like teaching prayer songs were laid down by him. Ms Alice Samuel, Ms Susi Thomas, Mrs Leela Jacob, Mrs R Visalakshi, Mr P Baluchamy, and a group of other dedicated staff members joined the Institution. A Hostel was started in 1972.
The School was registered as a Charitable Society under the name “Christian English School Society” in 1974. In 1975, Mr EJ John retired and Mr Jacob Thomas succeeded him as the Principal, after completing his Teacher training at the Central Institute of Education, Delhi.
In 1976, the school had 226 students across classes 1 to 10, with 16 Teachers. After the required formalities were adhered to, the school received affiliation to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), New Delhi. In 1977, the first batch of 4 students were presented for the ICSE Class X Board Exam and all of them passed with distinction.
In 1984, the school de-affiliated from the CISCE Board, and affiliated itself to the Matriculation Board of Tamil Nadu State. In 1986, it was upgraded to a Higher Secondary School.
In 1999, Dr Jacob Cherian was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his selfless, sacrificial and meritorious service in the field of medical care, education, community service, empowerment of women and downtrodden. In the same year, Mr Jacob Thomas was awarded the prestigious Dr Radhakrishnan award for being the “Best Teacher”.
Thousands of Students have passed through the portals of this School, and are occupying very responsible positions in various fields in India and abroad.