Know the inception

Kottayam Baker Memorial Kindergraten & LP School started its journey on July 15, 1930.

Guided by a divine calling, Ms. East, an English lady founded the school during her missionary involvement in Kottayam and around. She loved children a lot, and used to interact with them during her regular visits to the homes of the people here as part of her Christian ministry. In those days, education was not accessible to the little ones and this motivated Miss East to provide quality education to them.

Ms. East was against burdening the little ones with the load of curriculum. She started considering the best possible options to make education interesting and easy for the native young learners. Then she came to know about the kindergarten system, which provided the basics of knowledge in the languages and also mathematics. She found the system to be suitable to the children’s age and mind.

Those were days when the kindergarten system was not heard of in these parts of the land, and no training was available for teachers. Ms. East decided to equip herself through the Rachel McMillan Training School, London, which was the only institution then for this purpose. After getting two months’ training, she came back to Kottayam.

Ms. East had apprehensions about the response of people to the new system of learning. She was not sure if the parents will want to send their children to the new school. But she decided to move ahead. The initial struggles also involved getting a proper building, and raising money to buy teaching materials and play equipments.

Trusting in God and her call to be a missionary, she went along as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and was determined to suffer for the noble cause. She was supported by her colleague Ms. Meeker and the teachers of Baker Memorial High School. Hearing about a vacant building suitable for the purpose, they approached its owner Father Korah Chettithirivil and he happily rented it out for the new school. The next challenge was to get enough students. For this, along with the teachers of Baker High School, Ms. East visited homes in the area. Responses were positive and negative. Teachers of Baker Menorial High School collected an amount and gave to Miss East to buy the necessary toys and materials needed for the school. Soon, the school started functioning on 15 July, 1930, with the kindergarten, first and second classes, and with 15 students.

Later, the school moved to the Baker compound. Many people were attracted towards the new system of learning through play. Reputation of the school grew day by day and it became one of the noted institutions providing quality education.

Mrs Aley Varkey took charge of the school and this brought tremendous growth and progress, in many new dimensions. Till today, this school functions with a strong faith in God Almighty and provides knowledge with motherly affection, adhering to the vision and standards laid down by the pioneers.

The school now completes its ninety years, and prepares for its NAVATHI.And it stands tall and glorious as the akshara muthassi, which has nurtured and brought up generations with excellence in personality, quality and knowledge.