St.Francis Assisi Higher Secondary School, Arthunkal

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Missionaries should be credited for popularizing the ideal of universal education at a time when schooling was accessible for those in the upper realms of social structure.

Arthunkal was a centre of missionary activities, primarily because of its geographical position. An informal educational facility existed those days, attached to the parish church in Arthunkal. That facility, started during the second half of 16 century, taught students languages such as Malayalam, Portuguese, Sanskrit, and Latin along with some catechetical training.

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Later, during the British regime, several formal schools were started at various places throughout Kerala. The trend prompted a pious association in the name of St. Francis Assisi to push the idea of launching a formal school attached to their parish.

They were firm on the belief that a school was necessary for the spiritual, cultural and economical growth of their community. The school was opened, with government recognition, on February 02, 1904. At that time, this was the only English school in the whole coastal area between Kochi and Alleppey.

A historical change was the ownership transfer of the school. In 1924, the association handed over the ownership of the school to the parish church. Since 1971, the school functions under the Diocesan Corporate Management, when such a management system was initiated for a coordinated administration of all the diocesan schools.

The growth of the school since the middle of the last century has been phenomenal. In 1948, a year after Indian independence, it was made a High School and in 1998 it became a Higher Secondary School.

The school that started with 19 students now has over 2,300 students, served by 84 teaching staff and seven non-teaching staff.

A new wave in the extra-curricular activities of the students was made possible by the Five Year Plan introduced in the school. Eco-club, tourism-club and other such activities began under the plan help the students develop awareness about nature and their own environment.

Activities in groups such as National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS) help personality development of the students. To help their literary skills, seminars are conducted with participation of leading literary figures. Hand-written magazine and Communicative English Programmes are other activities in this line.


Schools Activities
Communicative english, DTP training, Screen Printing, Paper carry bags, Lotion and soap, Fabric Painting, training for students during vacation. valedictory function on 29th May, inauguration by Sri. Geroge Thaivelikkakathu, Dean California University. More than 160 students are participating in this programme.

Address :
St.Francis Assisi High School, Arthunkal,Cherthala,,
City: Allappuzha Postal Code: 688530
District: Alappuzha Country: India
Phone: 0477 - 2244899

Keywords: kerala schools, schools in alappuzha, kerala education