Pu -Islam Education in Elementary Schoolsin Malabar: A History and Analysis

Abstract

The education of Muslims in the Madras Presidency was initially neglected under British rule. However, the government later took steps to improve the situation, such as providing special grants to schools for Mappilas and appointing dedicated inspectors for Muslim schools. Despite these efforts, a 1902-1907 report found that Muslims continued to underperform in education due to several factors, including poverty, lack of interest, and differing educational goals. To address these challenges, the government implemented some initiatives, such as fee waivers and scholarships for Muslim students. In addition, the government promoted vocational education, which was particularly relevant to the Pu-Islam community, a group of converted Muslims who were traditionally involved in fishing. These measures helped to improve the educational attainment of Muslims in the Madras Presidency. This research paper focuses on Pu-Islam education in elementary schools in Malabar. This study aims to examine the implementation of Pu-Islam education in elementary schools in the Malabar region and also to understand the effectiveness of this program. By understanding that education system, the study seeks to provide insights into the potential benefits and challenges of Pu-Islam education.