Christava Mahilalayam Higher Secondary School

The Christava Mahilalayam HSS for Girls was a dream come true for the brain behind this venture. If it had not been for the
determination and far-sightedness of the founders, the school would not have borne wings.

Origin and History

The Christava Mahilalayam School was started in the year 1927 as the realization of the vision of its founders, Mr. P. K. Mathew of Akaparambu, Mr. A. A. Paul of Parur, and a group of eminent persons of the four Non Roman Episcopal churches in Kerala, who met in Parur on 8-5-1926. Ms. E. T. Stevens of the Women's Christian College, Chennai, was the principal of the school for the first two years. Her departure in April 1929 synchronised with the arrival of Ms. Hester Smith from England, who spent the rest of her life for the development of the school. With the opening of Form VI ( Standard X ) Mahilalayam became a full-fledged high school for girls in 1931. That no such institution for girls existed in the northern part of Travancore in those days made it a much sought after institute, for girls' education.

During the 1940's when the school was passing through a financial crisis a group of dedicated teachers known as 'The Group' took up its day to day management without accepting any remuneration.

Not only did the school tide over the financial crisis, but it also made impressive progresss on all fronts. Thereafter, 'The Group' which looked after the administration of the school and the boarding was made a constituent of the the Governing Board which guided, helped and supported it.

In the 1950's when the Government started the system of aided schools, Mahilalayam opted to become a recognised unaided school because the management including 'The Group', did not want to surrender the freedom to run the school according to its ideals. Thus Mahilalayam became the first recognised unaided school in the state driven by God's grace and the dedication of the teachers for its sustenance. In 2002 when the school celebrated its 75th anniversary, the Government upgraded the school to Higher Secondary status in recognition of its commendable service to society, offering both Science and Commerce streams. The school also turned co-educational under the name 'The Christava Mahilalayam Higher Secondary School'.

Although Mahilalayam is a Christian institution it has always tried to serve the people of the state irrespective of caste or creed. It has rendered yeoman service to women's education in the state in a very remarkable manner, especially by providing educational opportunities to girls in and around Aluva. The school has always tried to uphold academic excellence with emphasis on sound learning and building of character through inculcation of noble values of life. The Management hopes that Mahilalayam will continue to get the patronage it has been receiving in abundance from all quarters. The school looks forward to a future of richer service to society through the education and character building of its younger generations, while upholding the rich traditions of the past.