The Sealy Memorial School owes its origin to the late Sri Parakkat Achutha Menon of revered memory. Though primarily started for the benefit of the members of his Taravad, it really catered to the educational needs of the public of Tattamangalam and the adjacent villages of Peruvemba, Pattanchery, Koduvayur and Palathully. The school was very well conducted and ably managed and it attracted many students from the neighbouring villages.

        Sriman Vasu Menon brother of Sri Achutha Menon continued to be the Manager of this school until it was handed over to the Government. He was a kind and generous gentleman and helped many a poor and deserving student. There were many free scholars in those days and some of them, I am glad to say, are occupying high positions in life.

        In 1901 two events took place. Queen Victoria died, and I joined the Sealy Memorial School.

        In those days the School Term began in the first month of the English year. Mr. Pallasena Rama Iyer was the Headmaster. His son, Sri P.R. Ramanatha Iyer, is a leading member of the Palghat Bar.

        I was put into Gopala Asan’s class. There were no benches for us to sit on. We sat on planks, benches which had no stands. Gopala Asan, alias Cherukara Gopalan Nair, belongs to the family of the Physical Instructor, Sir C. Komu Nair.

        The School at that time consisted of a hall with verandhas on two sides. One of them had a small wall and classes from Infant Standard to Class III were held there.

        Mr. Rama Iyer was very kind and loved the students. The classes began work at 10 A.M. But when Sri Rama Iyer came to school it was 10 and he would take a pinch of snuff from Mr. Ramu Master and ask him to set the clock right. After some time he left teaching and took to agriculture.

        The most popular and respected teacher of the time was Sri K.V. Subramania Iyer. He was a Telugu Brahmin from Kollengode. He was one who could handle any subject. He taught English and Arithmetic. He was a Sanskrit Scholar and well versed in Malayalam. He was our private tutor. My brother, late C. Gopalan Nair, one of the distinguished pupils of the school and my cousin Mrs. U.G. Nair, the first girl student of the school, studied under him. He was kind and generous and took real interest in his pupils. He was loved and respected by the students and the public of Tattamangalam. To express their love and respect for him and in appreciation of his services, he was presented with a Ring and a small Purse by his old students, at the time of the last Jubilee.

        Sri Easwara Iyer taught us Geography and Euclid. He was one who took life easy and a lovable man.

        Mr. Narayana Iyer of Peruvemba familiarly known as Nanu Master was in charge of I form. He knew Grammar very well and taught us Parsing, and Analysis which has stood us in good stead. You found you were committing a mistake when, with electric speed, his right hand came in contact with your left cheek. He had a kind heart and enjoyed a hearty laughter.

        The most qualified teacher was Sri C. Kunhikrishna Panikkar. He had passed his F.A. and had undergone training. He taught all subjects equally well. He rose to the position of Head Master and continued to be so till 1919, when for certain reasons he resigned. During his time the school maintained a high reputation for good teaching and efficiency.

        The Sanskrit Pandit Sri P.Kutta Menon was in charge of III Standard. He never spared the rod. He usually chose the calf for the exercise of his cane which he freely used. Sanskrit was compulsory in those days.

        Mr. K. Rama Master, Kunnamprath Rama Menon, was teacher of II Standard. His teaching of English was in the old orthodox style. He took a prominent part in the Desakali. He was instructor of Padinharathara. He himself took part in the Kali. His “Otta Chekkiliyan” part was considered to be very grand. He knew medicine and Mantra. Watch repairing was his hobby. After a time he left school and joined the Chittur – Tattamangalam Municipality as a Bill Collector.

        I can never afford to forget ‘Samba Master’ alias R. Samban Nair. He was very particular about his luxuriant growth of hair on his head. He was a very kind man and was very good natured. He was kind-hearted and did not believe in the miracle of the cane. He, for reasons known to himself, one day disappeared and we have not yet heard of him. His nephew is the Drawing Master, Artist Nanukutty Nair, whose lovely and artistic pictures adorn the walls of my house as of many others. In those days all teachers wore coats and turbans, the latter only when the inspecting officer came. The coats seldom went to the laundry.

        The most fashionably dressed gentleman of all the teachers was Marath Vasudevan Nair, Vasu Master. He was particular about his dress and spent what little he got in making new clothes. He was fond of wearing English dress, trousers and shoes. He was the Drill Master and known as a strict disciplinarian. He spent a good deal of time in dressing and was keen about his sandal Pottu on his forehead.

        Among my school mates was the late Parakkat Govinda Menon, a good and genial soul. He was an epitome of all that was pleasant in man. He took a very active interest in the School Silver Jubilee, which was successfully celebrated under his guidance and that of his cousin, Sri Bhanunni Menon.

        I left the school in 1907 to join the Sirkar School, Chittur. We left our house in the Thara and went to live in our Kalam and as it was a bit distant, I painfully had to leave my old school.

        In 1921 I joined my old school, this time as a teacher. Mr. Natesa Iyer of Nochur was the Headmaster. Most of the present teachers in the lower classes were my colleagues.

        The School has sent out a large number of men to hold positions of great distinction in the professions and in the public services.

        The School life in those days was entirely different from what it is now. The teachers and students formed one family. They were bound together alike in woe and weal. The teachers cared for the students and for their welfare. The teachers knew every boy in their classes. The students in their turn loved and respected the teachers. The system of dictation of notes was not in vogue. The teachers did not summarise for the students nor did the students memorise for the teachers.

        Education was not commercialized in those days, as at present. The students paying and expecting a return in certain commodities and services, some note books full of notes and a push along the road to success in his examination- such things were unknown in those days. There was strict discipline maintained in the school. The students loved and respected their teachers and their word was law. There were no strikes, petitions, protests or processions. I wish the old order had remained.

        Once in a year there was the inspection. It was an important event. Teachers and students appeared in their gala dress. Walls were white-washed. Plantain trees were planted in front of the gate. The peon wore his livery. The classes began in time. A gentleman with a long coat and white turban was ushered in – there was pin drop silence. He was taken round the classes – students stood up and received him. He enjoyed the variety of fresh and delicious fruits served to him on a salvar with relish and left the School to the relief of the Head Master and his assistants.

        With regard to the School I pray and hope that it will grow from strength to strength and that it will continue to be a beacon – light and source of inspiration, to generation of students yet unborn.  

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