A wise man has said, "The purpose of education is the preservation and enhancement of knowledge and the development of character within our given form of society which will prepare the individual for the conditions of extreme novelty the near future is bringing."

Azhagappapuram is renowned for education. A peep into the history of educational development of Azhagai reveals the major role played by parish priests.  Without their unstinted efforts, Azhagai could not have become what it is today in the field of education. The teachers of Azhagai and elsewhere, with their erudition, teaching skills and forbearance  have contributed to the educational progress of Azhagai.  In addition to tutoring wards, teachers have imparted discipline, ethics, morals and etiquette without which education is futile.   Parents and guardians too have played a crucial part in instilling the importance of education and moral  as well as ethical principles in the minds of their siblings.

In recent times, economic prosperity has enabled a large number of youths to pursue various professional studies.  Scores of scholars, doctors, engineers, executives and many other professionals have emerged from this village.  Year after year their number has been on the increase.  Quite a number of educated youth has found gainful employment in both private and public sectors.  Many have migrated to greener pastures abroad to enhance their prospects.   At this amazing turnaround, it is pertinent to go back in time chronologically and find out the architects who have been instrumental in the educational development of Azhagappapuram. We are indebted to them.

During the period 1700-1740, Malayananchan, the early settler,  built a thatch-roofed church, dedicating it to  St. Antony.  As he believed that he was cured of a serious ailment with divine grace, he donated his land surrounding the Azhagai church.  Our primary school was constructed thereafter on this plot.  The existing church land was acquired about 159 years ago.

Prior to 1910, the village did not have a proper school.  Those interested in educating their children sent them to schools located then in areas closer home.  For pursuing high school studies, pupils had to go to Nagercoil more often on foot.  

In May 1910, the then parish priest of Azhagai, Rev. Fr. Pappai, upgraded the Primary school to Middle School.

During the tenure of Rev. Fr. Mariadhas (1931-1934), owing to the dismal economic and living conditions as well as lack of awareness of the importance of education, our school had to be shut down.  However,  Fr. Mariadhas brought about improvements in the conditions with concerted efforts and the school re-opened after a while.  It started functioning normally thereafter.

Rev. Fr. Thirukudumbadhason Thalmaitha (1938–1939) built the school office building and another block for the school on the northern side of the church.
During 1943-1946, Rev. Fr. Michael was the parish priest. He became the correspondent of the school and discharged his duties effectively.

In 1944, acknowledging the wishes of the people of Azhagai, the then Bishop of Tuticorin diocese, The Most Rev. Roche, D.D.D.C.L,  founded the convent for nuns and named it  St. Seseeliammal Illam.  The convent rendered distinguished support service in the running of the primary school.

Rev. Fr. Periyanayagam (April 1946-April 1947), as custodian of the parish and the school, exercised strict control over the day-to-day affairs and ensured a great degree of  efficiency and growth in the parish's education.

In 1947, Rev.Fr. A.M. Novamani assumed charge of the Azhagappauram parish.  Once in command of the parish, he promised to establish a high school.   Drawing strength and confidence from God, he founded the high school in the year 1948 duly keeping his word.  This event proved to be  a watershed in the educational history of Azhagai.   

In the year 1952, Fr. Novamani established the St. Joseph Girl's School with ninth and tenth standards only.  People were united and generous in implementing the various developmental schemes started by Fr. Novamani.  Fr. Novamani was the initiator and achiever of the old block built for the primary school.

The government school at Azhagai was established sometime in the 1950's. It is believed to be serving the intended purpose.

Maintaining and up-keeping of educational institutions is as arduous a job as establishing them from scratch.  The good work done by the predecessors were successfully carried on by the successive clerics.  Notable among them were Rev. Fr. Mariamanikam (October 1954-December 1957),  Rev. Fr. J.S. Arasaratnam (Jan 1952-March 1962) and Rev. Fr. D. Gnanaprakasam. 
 
In 1964, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Pandian (Oct 1964 to May 1972) took charge of our parish.  Reposing deep faith in God, he kick-started and completed projects like new buildings for the school and the Pandian Hall.  In 1968 he facilitated the establishment of primary school in Thirumoolanagar with Government recongnition.  He also built three classrooms for this school.

The parish priest in 1972-73 was Rev Fr. M.S. Antony.  He ensured the completion of  certain building construction works started by his predecessor the Pandian Hall and three classrooms at     St. Antony's High School. 

When Rev. Fr. Paul Robinson (1979-82) was the parish priest,  as many as five classrooms were added to St. Antony's High School, with Government aid.

In his time at Azhagai (1982-86),  Rev. Fr. Julian exerted efforts to source and acquire valuable equipments for the school laboratory.  A heavy amount was expended for this purpose.  The emergence of basketball ground was also the result of the tireless efforts made by    Fr. Julian. He then erected a wall segregating the High School from the public road on the southern side of the bungalow.  This action had put in end to distractions pupils faced in the classrooms. 
Fr. Jebanathan (1986-91) added five classrooms above Gnanam Hall of the High School.   He also built many exclusive classrooms for the school.  He purchased nine cents of land and clubbed it with the school playground.   He built one room each for the school office and gymnasium.  He moved girls of 6th,7th and 8^th standards to St. Joseph's School and merged those standards with the 9^th & 10^th forms, making it a full-fledged high school.  He also constructed on the northern side of the church the Community Hall.  

The succeeding Rev. Fr. Antony Robert began his term in the year 1991.  He started off  by completing the pending works of the Girl's School five classrooms.  He also provided drinking water supply there.  Thereafter, he built three laboratories above the building located to the west of  St. Antony's School basketball court. These labs have been immensely useful to students learning science subjects.   He managed to buy 14 cents of land and set up a beautiful playground.  This he did with the help of the people of Azhagai.  Substantial amount of money was spent on these projects, which bolstered the school infrastructure.

Rev. Fr. Selva George (1996 to 2001) built for the high school, Fr. Cruzmarian Golden Jubilee Block.  He also installed daises at St. Antony's High School as well as at St. Joseph's Girls High School for conducting cultural events.  Furthermore, he provided facilities for various sports activities on the premises of the schools.  Modern toilet facilities were added to all the four schools during his time. With the funds allocated by the Government he established a full-fledged library for the high school, laboratory as well as wash cars. Further, he built the George Hall under the   "We are for ourselves" scheme.

Another significant accomplishment of Fr. Selva George  was the construction of a new building for the primary school at a cost of Rs. 40 lakhs. The old primary school structure was torn down and the new building built in its place.  The compactness and elegance of the new primary school has created more space  and improved the  appearance of  St. Antony's church square. 

Rev. Fr. Gerald Cruz was in charge of the parish during 2001 to 2003.   He bought badly needed chairs, benches and desks for the George Hall of the Boy's High School. 

It's clear from the foregoing that it has been a long haul for Azhagappapuram to develop so much in the field of education as in many other areas.   The momentum built thus far must not be allowed to dissipate. In spite of diversionary nuisances like television, etc., the youngsters of Azhagai have been doing consistently well in education without allowing themselves to be sucked into those distractions. It's a very good sign.  The future augurs well for further  improvement of Azhagai's educational standards.  What must not be lost sight of, however,  is the fact that education must produce disciplined and cultured youth not recalcitrant, arrogant hubris.  Also, children must be educated and trained to be good citizens.

(Translated from Tamil by J. Vensuslaus)