Breeks Memorial School in Ooty: Where Europeans, Euraisans and natives studied together

UDHAGAMANDALAM: Standing tall as a red castle, the massive structure in British-styled architecture located in Church Hill area in

Ooty

is a prominent landmark that nobody could miss.

Breeks Memorial School

(now known as Breeks Memorial Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School) has been functioning from the building since it was built in 1886 at the cost of Rs 38,180. However, the school was established in 1874 to cater to

Europeans

, Eurasians and to the natives in the hills.

When James Wilkinson Breeks, the first commissioner (district collector) died in 1872, it was decided to establish a school in his name in memory of his services to the Nilgiris community. While the government paid a sum of Rs 13, 682 towards the cause, funds were raised through public subscriptions and debentures of Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000 respectively.

A foundation stone for the memorial school was laid in 1873 at the public offices complex in Ooty and was duly erected. In 1874, the institution named after J K Breeks started functioning as a day school catering to the students of Europeans, Eurasians and natives.

Though many schools were established earlier to this, the Breeks Memorial School was different from all its predecessors in being only a day school, and in taking, in addition to Europeans and Eurasians, natives of the hills.

According to Frederick Price, author of ‘Ootacamund: A History’, in 1885, the government being in need of premises for a subordinate judge’s court house, the school trustees offered to exchange the original building (located in the public office complex) for a new one better suited to their requirements at Church Hill. The new building was erected in 1886 at the cost of Rs 38,180. In addition, the government paid off the debentures (Rs 6,000) raised for the purpose of meeting a part of the cost of erecting the old school house.

After 12 years functioning at the original building, the school was shifted to the present building in 1886.

The two-storey building was designed in British style and the castle tower with a roof looking like a pointed hat. The special architectural features are the cloister vault roof, the arched masonry decorations seen above many of the rectangular doors and windows, gable decoration above the central building, besides the narrow wooden staircases.

“At first it was a fairly successful institution. But in the late years, it steadily went downhill, and long ago was closed. Comparatively recently, the government decided to put it on an improved footing, and the school has been reopened under altered conditions,” says Price.

However, it is not clear when it reopened with altered conditions.

In 1974, to commemorate the centenary year of the school, a new building was erected within its campus and another school by name, Breeks Memorial Higher Secondary School was set up in the new building with CBSE syllabus.

The heritage building underwent renovation more than a decade ago.


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