Skandavarodaya College – 117 years of excellence in national education

Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar

Skandavarodaya College, Chunnakam, Jaffna which was established in 1894 by philanthropist and educationist, late Kandaiya Upaathiyayar is completing 117 years in the sphere of education. To mark this occasion a special commemorative first day cover and stamp will be issued by the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry.

Postal Services Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga will be the chief guest while Senior Minister of Human Resources D E W Gunasekara will be the special guest at a function to be held at Saraswathy Hall, 75, Laurence Road, Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4 on January 8 at 5.30 pm.

N Karunai Ananthan, former president of the Past Pupils Association (Colombo branch) and Principal of the College, Dr Aru Thirumurugan, Dr S Sivanandarajah, Dr M Kathirgamanathan, Dr V S Shanmuganathan, S Vishnukanthan and Chandramohan of the organizing committee for the release of the commemorative stamp have made elaborate arrangements for the success of this function.

Hindu community

Skandavoradaya College has served the Hindu community splendidly offering a wholesome education which has been defined as the first and the fairest thing that the best of men and women can ever have. the educational achievements combined with meritorious feats achieved by Skandavarodaya College in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are excellent.

The founder of this college, Candiah Upaathiyayar taught English, A Kandiah taught Tamil and Seeni Upaathiyayar was appointed as the manager. In 1900, J K Ponniah was appointed as Head Master and the college was registered as the Government Educational Institution in 1902. U Chellappah served as a teacher in the school and was a tower of strength to the founder in every respect. Further mention must be made about S Visvanathan, brother of Dr P Subramaniam, a well-known doctor who taught English until his retirement in 1931.

In fact, tuition was almost free and this received wide publicity and students from Jaffna and other parts of the country joined this school.

The increasing numbers in the school demanded new buildings and the foundation for the main hall was laid in 1907 and completed in 1912. S Eliyathamby was appointed Principal.

Four students sat for the Cambridge Junior School Certificate Examination and all of them got through the examination. Special mention must be made of S Murugesu who ended as a civil servant and Amlanthy as Director of Education for the whole island.

Super grade school

In 1917, P Sapapathippillai (BA) was appointed Principal and A Manikam, joined the staff and science was introduced. In 1924, Sapapathipillai left and Eliyathamby succeeded as Principal. In 1925, candidates were first presented to Cambridge Senior Examination. In 1931, V Muthukumaru (MA) was appointed Principal and he was an embodiment and personification of discipline. In 1935, candidates were prepared for London Matriculation Examinations.

In the same year, and ‘Vijayathasami Day’ the school was named as Skandavarodaya College. The founder handed over the school to a board of trustees with Dr S Subramaniam as the manager.

In 1937, when Muthukumaru left, Srinivasan (MA) was appointed Principal. In 1944, orator Siva Subramaniam assumed Principal and V Sivasubramaniam (BA, Bsc) was appointed Vice-Principal. Thereafter HSC and University Entrance classes were recognized by the Education Department.

In 1947, the school was raised to Grade 1 along with nine other schools in Jaffna.

On July 12, 1947, Old Boys got together and inaugurated the Colombo branch Old Boys Association and Arulanthy was elected President. In 1948, the new playground was formally opened by the Manager Dr Subramaniam, where the first inter-athletic sports meet under the patronage of Dr P Subramaniam was held.

Scholarship fund

In 1952, five students entered the University, two for Medicine, two for Science and one for Arts. On September 6, 1952, a gloom was cast on the college by the passing away of founder Candiah Upaathiyayar.

The period from 1952 to 1969 was the ‘golden era’ of Skanda. In 1954, Skanda became a super grade school with three other schools in Jaffna.

The examination results were excellent and many students entered various faculties of the university. The performance in sports was of high standard, becoming champions in the first eleven soccer game competition, in addition to excellence in cricket and athletics.

In 1962, orator Subramaniam retired and V. Sivasubramaniam was appointed as Principal and K Sivakumaran as Vice-Principal. It was the first time an old boy was appointed as a Principal.

The period between 1962 to 1969 was the ‘period of consolidation’ with excellent performance at the University Entrance Examination. In 1963, 43 students entered the university for various faculties, which was the highest in Jaffna and third highest as the islandwide basis.

After the retirement of V Sivasubramaniam, P Ahamparam, who was a Chemistry teacher and a past pupil of Point Pedro Hartley College was appointed as Principal. In 1997, K Sivaji assumed duties as Principal and Aarn Thirumurugan as Vice-Principal. Besides, the Colombo Old Students Association was responsible for the construction of Murugan temple and the statues erected for founder Candiah Upaathiyar and Dr Subramaniam in the school premises.

The Skantha Old Students Association (Colombo branch) was responsible for inaugurating a scholarship fund in memory of former Principal late ‘Orator’ Subramaniam towards the promotion and uplift of the education of the deserving children.

Further, to give a facelift for the college, Dr M Kathirgamanathan, an old student of Skandavarodaya College, philanthropist and present President of Colombo Tamil Sangam and Secretary of the World Saiva Council (Colombo branch) took tremendous effort in constructing a beautiful and large entrance for the college. For the construction of this building he spent from his own funds.

In 1998, Aarn Thirumurugan was appointed Principal. He should be highly commended for piloting the affairs of Skandavarodaya College with total dedication and commitment.

He is an embodiment of discipline and maintains high degree of discipline.

Indeed, the flame of wisdom and brilliance imparted to the students at Skandavarodaya College will permeate one's very being and make one shine to dispel the gloom of poverty and ignorance.

On this great and glorious special commemorative stamp release function, ‘let us remember with gratitude the founder of this prestigious college and also the commitment of the past and present principals and teachers who have elevated this college to pristine position in the island and given her fame, name, glory and global dimension.’