Move and convert one of the oldest boys’ schools

St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Kozhikode, was established in 1793 as a European school for the children of employees of the British East India Company. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh

The Education Department’s decision to open the doors of one of the state’s oldest boys’ schools to girl students has sparked controversy.

While a section of former students of the 233-year-old St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School in Kozhikode objected to the decision, the school management and staff on Thursday (June 4, 2026) claimed that the proposal for the purpose was submitted to the government on the basis of demands from parents and students. Currently, the school has over 2,400 pupils from V to XII. classes.

School director Fr. The pious Vachaparambil told the media that the change was part of the government’s co-education policy. Female students would be admitted to Plus One classes in the current academic year. From 2026-27, they would be admitted in Class V in phases. Management has set up infrastructure, including toilets and washrooms.

Management and staff representatives said the institution was founded in 1793 to house the children of employees of the British Eastern Company. It was taken over by Carmelite priests in 1861 and later by Jesuits in 1894, when the school began its journey as the St. Joseph. From 1936, they also started accepting Indian students. Former teachers of the school include freedom fighter K. Kelappan.

But “1994 alumni association” officials said in a release that the move would strip the school of its historic status as one of the state’s oldest boys’ schools. They pointed out that Kozhikode City has a number of aided schools for girls like Providence Higher Secondary School, St. Joseph’s Anglo-Indian Girls Higher Secondary School,St. Vincent Girls Higher Secondary School and St. Michael’s Girls Higher Secondary School. But there were very few such institutions for boys. This could limit the educational opportunities available to them, argued former students like K. Jithesh, Babinesh Bhaskar, K. Jaikar and Biju Menon.

They said the school was established to provide quality education to boys. They wondered whether the mere development of the existing infrastructure would help the students in any way as the management had not yet taken any steps towards gender sensitization. Meanwhile, staff and management representatives said the alumni group is unofficial and has nothing to do with the school.

Published – 04 Jun 2026 21:16 IST