Education
The Trust supports the Kovalam’s Panchayat Primary School (PUPS) and the Higher Secondary School, initially built in partnership with the Tamil Nadu Government. This includes ensuring that high standards are maintained, specialist teachers, books, equipment are provided and buildings are well cared for.
The Trust pays university fees for undergraduate and postgraduate students and funds vocational training through the Brighter Futures Fund.
In 2026, the Venkat Trust received the Tamil Nadu Governor’s Award for Social Service:“Venkatraman Memorial Trust has made significant contributions towards uplifting government schools in Kovalam village and enhancing the overall quality of education”.
Panchayat Primary School (PUPS)
This was the Trust’s very first project, which has seen PUPS rise from the bottom of the pile to a much sought after school and award winner. Our young pupils enjoy their lessons and leisure activities in a happy and stimulating environment.
– New classrooms and dining hall
– English and PE teachers
– Sports ground
– Professional teachers
– Books
– Desks and benches
– Smart uniforms
– Excursions
– Solar panels
– Ceiling fans
Free secondary education for Kovalam
Our biggest project, the High School, built in partnership with the Tamil Nadu Government, was completed in 2013. For the first time in Kovalam’s history, its children were able to get free education from the age of 12 up to the end of Standard X in their own village. The school’s reputation soared for its academic and sporting achievements and pastoral care, and in 2021 it was promoted to a Higher Secondary School.
This means we now have Standards XI and XII, the equivalent of the UK’s Sixth Form, and children can complete their entire secondary schooling here.
With the roll standing at almost 1000, the Trust has funded further extensions providing classrooms and three fully equipped science labs for Standards XI and XII. The Higher Secondary School campus provides the best possible environment for students to learn and flourish.
The school was named as the top Government Higher Secondary School in Chengalpattu District in July 2025 and is now the among Tamil Nadu’s top Government Higher Secondary Schools.
The Tamil Nadu Government provides the basic facilities including some teachers; the Trust looks after the rest:
– 15 teachers
– Snooker coach
– English language lab and teacher
– 2 school buses
– Snooker table
– Furniture
– Four science labs
– 6000 book library
– Sports ground – prepared and maintained
– Sports equipment
– Cricket nets and bowling machine
– Desktop computers and laptops
– LCD projector
Brighter Futures Fund
Each year, the Trust funds the university fees of 75 sponsored children – undergraduate and postgraduate students – through the Brighter Futures Fund. They study a range of courses including medicine, IT, law, business administration, banking, nursing and teaching. Scholarships and bursaries provided by organisations and private individuals are also awarded to selected young people from the village but who are not sponsored and are chosen on the basis of academic ability, good character and economic need. Find out more about how you can help with our Brighter Futures Fund here.
Vocational training
As well as doctors, lawyers and teachers, Kovalam needs skilled craftsmen and women. There are plenty of well-paid jobs for qualified car mechanics, air conditioning engineers, electricians, tailors and beauticians. The Trust pays the fees of any sponsored children wishing to go on to vocational training when they leave school.
