Cotym College, popularly known as the CMS College in Kottayam, is a pioneer of higher education in the country, and its august eminence dates back 200 years.

Unlike other colonialists, Colonel John Munroe, the then Dewan of Travancore, valued education and social upliftment. His zeal for social change led to the abolition of slavery in Travancore in 1813. He played a pivotal role in setting up the college in Kottayam. By 1817, Rev. Benjamin Bailey assumed charge as the principal of Cotym College and made knowledge accessible to all, irrespective of caste. 

He laid the foundation for a modern secular education by implementing a curriculum focused on Syriac, Sanskrit, Latin, English, Greek, History, Mathematics, and Geography. He established  Kerala’s first printing press at The College in 1820. He designed the modern Malayalam script and adapted it for printing with his printing machine.

“Saaksharam” (Literacy ) is a historical drama written and directed by Dr Clint Peter Roy, Assistant Professor, Department of Communicative English, CMS College, after undertaking research for one year on the social structure of Kerala and the impact of Cotym College on the lives of marginalised people. The drama was staged on February 7, 2025, in the Great Hall at the institution’s premises. Former college principals, academician Rev. Richard A Bennet, and the general secretary of colleges and universities of the Anglican Communion (CUAC) from Ireland witnessed the play. 

Copyeditor: S Vishnu Sharmaa