The date 4 January 2023 marked a milestone in the 199-year-old history of the Uduvil Girls’ College. On that morning, draped by a clear blue sky, the Jubilee Hall of the College stood decorated in a discreetly enchanting manner. The College flag and other flags carrying the College colours, white and blue, were fluttering outside the hall, while schoolgirls, teachers, and well-wishers were seated inside. There was a serene majesty in everything that adorned the premises of the campus of the College. The College was ready for the installation of Rosana Mathuramathy Kulendran as its 10th Principal.
At 10 a.m., with the ringing of the school bell, a procession that comprised the new Principal, the outgoing Principal Suneetha Jebaratnam, and the officers of the Board of Directors of the College entered the Jubilee Hall. The installation service included hymns, a special song by the College choir, Bible readings, prayers and a sermon by the third Bishop of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI), S. Jebanesan.
Kulendran was installed as the new Principal of the Uduvil Girls’ College by the fifth Bishop of the JDCSI, Dr. V. Pathmathayalan. As a diocesan institution, the cultural and religious life of the Uduvil Girls’ College is shaped by the Christian ethos, and traditions of the JDCSI and its predecessor churches closely linked to the American and South Indian congregationalist traditions. During the installation service, the Bishop was assisted by the Secretary of the JDCSI, Sathees Daniel and the Chaplain of Uduvil Girls’ College, S. Lingeswaran.
On behalf of the search committee, Vijula Arulanantham presented a detailed report on the process followed in selecting the new Principal. After installing Kulendran as the Principal, Bishop Pathmathayalan presented her with a copy of the Bible. The new Principal then received the keys of the College from the outgoing Principal. Thereafter, the new Principal was greeted and garlanded by the members of the College Board, representatives of the staff, students, and former Principal of the College Shiranee Mills, along with other guests.
In his sermon, Bishop Jebanesan reflected upon the Biblical origins of the College motto “Truth shall set you free” and its relevance to our times and the purposes for which the Uduvil Girls’ College was founded by American missionaries nearly 200 years ago. He spoke about the challenges the early missionaries faced when they embarked on the task of educating the girls of Jaffna. He observed that the missionaries started their work in a society entrenched in patriarchy where women’s entry into the arena of education was seen as an aberration that may lead to familial and social disintegration. Bishop Jebanesan also outlined the achievements that the Uduvil Girls’ College has made during its 200-year journey under the leadership of its four American and five national Principals.
At the end of the service, Bishop Pathmathayalan proclaimed the benediction and the service came to a solemn end with the singing of the hymn Guide me, o thou great redeemer. Kulendran was later escorted to the Principal’s office where she officially assumed duties as the 10th Principal of the Uduvil Girls’ College. Bishop Pathmathayalan signed the log book of the College marking the entry of Uduvil into its next phase under the leadership of Kulendran. The guests were invited to the mission house located inside the campus, where the Principals of the College reside, for traditional tea.
Kulendran, who has taken over as the 10th Principal of the Uduvil Girls’ College, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Statistics, from the University of London, a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from the Colombo Theological Seminary and a Master of Science degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Colombo. She also possesses a wealth of experience in the field of education.
She was a teacher at Gateway College, headed the London Advanced Level section at St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, served as the Vice Principal of the Royal Institute International School and later as the Principal of the School for the Deaf at Ratmalana. Her accomplishments have created optimism in the school community that Uduvil will continue to flourish and reach greater heights under her guidance.
As Uduvil celebrates its 200th founding anniversary next year (2024), it is important that we revisit the two-century history of this unique educational institution in the North and its contribution to women’s education and women’s upliftment in social, economic, and political terms. There is a need to discuss the role that the College has played in challenging oppressive ideas and attitudes that curtailed women and girls’ mobility and freedom and the kind of women-centred and feminist vision that the College has offered to the wider community through education and other activities.
Much has already been written by scholars around the world about Uduvil’s contribution to the educational scene of Jaffna, and the social changes that the College has encouraged and promoted. It is important that this scholarship is read and discussed widely by the members of the College community and well wishers and that it informs the future directions that the College and its work ought to take.
Uduvil has always been sensitive to the social and economic inequalities observed in the North and the country at large and how they affect women’s education and their socio-economic situation. While celebrating its achievements in academia and extra-curricular activities, Uduvil should explore avenues to diversify its student population by creating appropriate policies that seek to increase the admission of girls from the Panchamar caste communities, war-affected families, and Malaiyaham community.
(The writer is a Senior Lecturer attached to the University of Jaffna)