This is to draw your attention to a statement by the Principal of St. Berchmans College, as quoted in an article published by The Hindu on June 1, 2024: “History has come full circle for S.B. College, which admitted women students till 1954.” This statement is not accurate.

Let me recollect from the College history.

St. Berchmans College, founded in 1922, was not explicitly mentioned as a men’s college at its inception. However, only men were admitted, and the first batch of 124 students consisted entirely of men. According to college records, the faculty list over the years also comprised only men. Women were admitted solely to postgraduate courses.

In 1949, the institution made a significant and timely move by introducing a separate division to provide higher education for women. Assumption College, exclusively for women, began functioning as an annex to St. Berchmans College. A few female teachers were appointed to the S.B. payroll, and male teachers from S.B. also taught the female students at the annex. This arrangement continued until Assumption College became independent in 1954.

In 1964, Kerala University introduced a one-year Pre-Professional course, admitting both men and women, which S B College also adopted. However, this course was discontinued with the introduction of the Pre-Degree Course. In 1966, the college in line with the university introduced a special B.Sc. program that admitted women but was discontinued after a few batches. From 2000 onwards, St. Berchmans College introduced several innovative courses under self-financing schemes open to women.

In the 2024 -25 academic, for the first time in its 102-year history, the entire range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs at St. Berchmans College is open to women. This is not a repeat of past practices but a crucial and strategic step reflecting the needs of the time.

I felt it was my duty to clarify a factual error published in the Hindu daily.