OUR LEGACY

DIAMOND JUBILEE YEAR A PROUD MOMENT FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS SURROUNDING 

 

              The schools attached to the Shrine of St.John De Britto are two institutions Primary School and Higher Secondary School.

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      St. Arulanandar Higher Secondary School, almost a rebirth,

Fr. Kulandaisamy, S.J., one of the pioneering Jesuits at Oriyur, started the High School in this red sand in 1963 amidst great odds. Then by the effort of Fr. J.L. Pragasam, S.J. the High School was upgraded into a Higher Secondary School in 1986.

          It is interesting to know that this school was about to die in 1965. Though the Provincial’s decision was to close down the High School for various reasons, the District Educational authorities insisted for the school to continue functioning. I quote here the letter of Fr.A. Kulandaisamy, S.J. written on 2nd May 1965 to the District Educational Officer.

       

         “I bring to your notice that it is very difficult for us to get suitable and qualified teachers for our school to teach the higher standards.

 Teachers also find it much inconvenient to come and work in such an isolated place as ours. To these of the teachers who are with us, we give free quarters, kitchen, light facilities and whatever help we can render them to feel at home. Still during 1963-64 in spite of all our endeavours, we were able to get a Maths hand only after the middle of September. That we tried out utmost to get a suitable hand is evident from the papers furnished to your office to get exemption for unqualified hands. The same thing was repeated during 1964-65. The Xth Std boys had no Maths Teacher for 3 months. If the same thing occurs this year, when the boys go for the XIth Std they will not attain the required standard and will be at a disadvantage in their final examination.

 

          At the time of our application to open High School here, we hoped to work for the spread of education by running an efficient school, in keeping with the standard of other Jesuit High Schools in the State. But the present circumstances make it virtually impossible for us to secure now or in the near future not only qualified teachers but teachers of quality. Hence the management has decided not to open the XIth Std during 1965-66 and closedown the St. Arulanandar High School, Oriyur, Ramnad District with effect from the end of the school year 1965-66 (i.e. 31-5-66)”.

 

            St. Arulanandar Hr. Sec. School, Oriyur is one among the best schools in Ramanathapuram District Students from nearly 120 villages and towns flock to this school for standard education and for good character. It is the first Jesuit Co-education Hr. Sec. School in Tamil Nadu. More than 1360 students are studying here. The students strength is constantly increasing year after year.