Kerala being the one and only state in the country to achieve cent per cent literacy, it can be assumed how much importance has been given to education and the role played by educational institutions in imparting knowledge. Since early days, the people of Kerala including the rulers, the priestly class comprising philosophers and monks understood the value of being knowledgeable and the need to impart and spread knowledge among all sections of society. Ancient Hindu philosophy cherished learning and respected the learned in society, mostly made up of Brahmins who were well versed in the Arts, Sciences, Mathematics, Literature, Poetry and Philosophy. High literacy and awareness levels even among the lower strata of society is a unique feature of the state.

During the pre-independence times, the kingdoms of Travancore, Kochi and Malabar made successful efforts in encouraging and developing education in their regions. There were scholarly discussions in the royal courts as well as detailed sessions dedicated to poetry, literature and the fine arts including music and dance recitals. The language in use was mostly Sanskrit. The able Travancore kings’crusades in this direction, and especially championing the cause of womens’education are well known. The elaborate court discussions called ‘Panditha Sadassu’, between the erudite Kochi rulers and visiting Brahmin scholars, and the ‘Revathy Pattathanam’ literary contests patronized by the Malabar Zamorin kings are also famous.

Coming to the present day educational system in Kerala, the state boasts some of the best infrastructure and facilities regarding primary and secondary education. There are both Government and Govt-aided schools for boys and girls as well as plenty of excellent private institutions in all the districts throughout the state. A salient feature of education in Kerala is that the number of girl students is equal to or more than the number of boys. Higher education is also actively facilitated by the Ministry of Education.

Colleges, parallel colleges, training institutes and private tutorials are all actively involved in the field. Besides Arts, Science, Commerce & Law colleges and Management institutes, there are those offering technical, vocational training, and also the medical and engineering institutions imparting knowledge in the Health Sciences and Science & Technology, along with those devoted to allied subjects such as Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy. Distance education through correspondence centres is also functioning successfully in the state.

The established and esteemed Universities of Kerala offer under graduate, post graduate, M.Phil & Ph.D courses in various disciplines through the several state-owned and private colleges affiliated to them. A lot of importance is attached to the system of entrance exams on the basis of which students are offered seats in the various colleges to pursue the subject of their interest.

SCTCE Thiruvananthapuram	Rajagiri College Of Social   Sciences,Kalamassery	RLV College of Music and Fine Arts, Tripunithura