H S S Lawrence

Early life

Lawrence was the eldest of five children born to Sam and Arulammal Harris. He came from Santhapuram, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, and was named after John Lawrence and Henry Lawrence, two brothers one of whom was the Viceroy.

Lawrence was raised as a Christian. When he was nine years old, his mother died unexpectedly. He was educated firstly at the Home Church Elementary School and then at the Scott Christian English High School, both in Nagercoil.

Lawrence was a student of the Intermediate classes of the Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, during 1939-1941. His subjects were English, Tamil, Ancient History, Modern History and Logic. He went to college at the College of Fine Arts Trivandrum and obtained a B.A. Honours in History and Economics.

In search of employment, Lawrence went to Chennai, where he worked for the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Marina Canteen and Swimming Pool from September 1944 to September 1947.

Lawrence was selected for the Overseas Scholarship Scheme sponsored by the Government of India and obtained a place at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, which he attended from September 1948. Specialising in teacher education, he stayed until September 1950 and completed MA and Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) degrees.

Collegiate

Introduced practicals for B.Ed. students in education subjects. Lectured on Educational Psychology and Educational Sociology.

A Tamil Pandits Training Course was introduced in the College in 1961. The Pandits had general education in Tamil Literature but no knowledge of pedagogy of teaching and learning. Planned and implemented a sound program of student teaching for students in several high schools of Vellore. Dr Rajendra Prasad, President of India, accompanied by Shri K Kamaraj, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu visited Vellore for inaugurating a school improvement conference. On the way, the car stopped in front of the College and as Principal, Lawrence had the rare privilege of garlanding him. Mrs Lourdammal Simon, Minister for Local Administration, Dr Brand, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Dr Roy Ebenezer, Ophthalmologist, Swamy Kripananda Varier, Swamy Chinmayananda graced the functions of the college.

The State Institute of Education, was founded by Dr. Lawrence in 1965 as the “academic wing” of the Education Department for research, innovations, in-service training, extension work, and publications. A quarterly journal in English and monthly in Tamil were also newly introduced. The State Institute of Education later developed into the State Council of Education, Research and Training (SCERT) and now, as the Directorate of Teacher Education, Research and Training (DTERT) with all the teacher training institutes under it. As Founder-Director, Lawrence had laid the proper foundations.

Administrative

In charge of the whole gamut of primary and secondary education as well as teacher training in 3 districts. Supervised the work of the District Educational Officers and Deputy Inspectors of Schools. Undertook tremendous improvements of infrastructure in schools and oversaw the enrolment of students, the increase in the number of Mid-day Meal centres, organizing school improvement conferences and progress of literacy programs. Lawrence had the rare privilege of welcoming and accompanying Valentina Tereshkova of U.S.S.R., a Soviet cosmonaut, the first woman to travel into space at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai.

Head of School Education

As Special Officer for restructuring Educational Pattern in Tamil Nadu and as Director of School Education, Dr. Lawrence planned and implemented the All India 10+2+3 pattern of education in 1978. As "Founder Chairman of the Board of Higher Secondary Education", he established Higher Secondary Education on sound foundations that even rural students could undertake 12 years of education without difficulty. This is unique in India and the last 30 years have shown it as a highly successful pattern of education. Hence Dr. Lawrence is regarded to be the “Architect of Higher Secondary Education in Tamil Nadu”.

Lawrence as Director of School Education brought the few Matriculation schools affiliated to Madras and Madurai Universities under a separate Board of Matriculation Schools with him as Chairman. Today the number of Matriculation Schools has grown to over 2200. Lawrence is regarded to be the Founder Chairman Board of Matriculation Schools.

UNESCO service Afghanistan

Government of Afghanistan and the Director General of UNESCO approved of Dr.Lawrence’s candidature for appointment as Expert in Primary Teacher Training at the Academy for Teacher Educators, Charikar, Afghanistan under the UNESCO - UNICEF Joint-Project from 28 May 1969. Lawrence was given a briefing on UN and its Agencies, Economic Development, aims and functions of UNESCO and about Afghanistan at Paris the headquarters of UNESCO. In Afghanistan, he visited Higher Teachers College and Kabul Training College and elementary schools. Firm relationships were established with Asia Foundation, USIS, Indian Embassy and UN Organisations to cooperate jointly in the UNESCO Education Teacher Training Project. A Teacher Training College was set up in Charikar. Contributed to the upgradation of the curriculum of teacher training, organisation of student teaching, conducting post graduate courses, selection of teacher candidates through examinations and teacher educators for post graduate fellowships abroad and introduction of Educational television at the Academy. UNESCO and Government of Afghanistan extended his service every year from 1969 to 1975.

He functioned as Chief Technical Adviser of the UNESCO Training Programme from August to December 1969 and also acted as UNESCO Programme Co-ordinator and Senior Adviser in July 1974.

Banking service

State Bank Group, Madras Circle included Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Lawrence attended the office of the Regional Recruitment Board, conducted Board Meetings, organized written examinations, conducted interviews, published results and allotted candidates to Banks.

On 20 February 1986, Ministry of Finance (India), New Delhi appointed Lawrence as Chairman, Banking Service Recruitment Board, Calcutta. The Banking Service Recruitment Board (Eastern Group) is responsible for recruitment of staff for banks in West Bengal, Sikkim and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Examinations, pre-recruitment training, orientation of officers for conduct of examinations, interviews, and final selection were accomplished for twenty-eight public sector banks as well as regional rural banks under Lawrence's Chairmanship. Interviews for selection of candidates for banks were held in Calcutta, Berhampur, Burdwan, Malda, Krishnagar, Midnapur, Siliguri, Gangtok (Sikkim), and Port Blair (Andamans). He lectured in staff colleges of UCO Bank and Allahabad Bank on the conduct of interviews.

Lawrence was elected member of Governing Board of IBPS, Bombay. He attended meetings of the Governing Board at the office of the Governor Reserve Bank of India, Mr R. N. Malhotra who was also Chairman of IBPS.

Vocational education

In 1978, Lawrence introduced vocational education at the +2 stage along with a syllabus for 52 vocational subjects. Vocational student enrolment in Tamil Nadu in 1978 was 24,400 which was 21%, the highest in the country and 1/3 of the total vocational strength in India. During 1993–1994, when he was chairman of a state government committee on vocational education, a new syllabus for 104 vocational courses in the areas of Engineering & technology, Commerce & Business, Agriculture, Home Science and Health was produced.

In 1995, for his contribution to the progress of vocational education, the vocational teachers of Tamil Nadu awarded him the title of “Father of Vocational Education in TamilNadu”.

Panel inspection

An innovative scheme of annual panel inspection of Higher Secondary Schools by College Professors, inspecting officers and Heads of Schools was introduced in 1977-78.

School complexes

School Complexes were organised in over 2072 schools to break down the isolation of schools and to make them function as cooperative groups. A school complex voluntarily links a group of 10-20 primary schools and 3-4 middle schools around a high school as a viable unit for school improvement. The Ministry of Education, Government of India has appreciated the initiative of Tamil Nadu.

Voluntary supply of radios to schools

Due to a drive given by Dr. Lawrence from 1976, as many as 31,800 schools were supplied with radio sets by the public to listen to School broadcasts. All India Radio appreciated this effort as unique in the whole of India.

Survey of unrecognized schools

As Chairman of a Committee on Unrecognised Schools, Dr. Lawrence made a survey and submitted his report and recommendations to Government of Tamil Nadu in 1977.

Introduction of book banks

Schools were requested to start Book Banks on a voluntary basis for the benefit of disadvantaged children. In 1978, over 35,000 schools introduced the scheme to benefit over 1.2 million children.

Medals for toppers in public examinations

For the first time in 1977, Gold and Silver medals and certificates of merits were distributed to students who obtained the first few ranks in Public Examinations.

Good conduct prizes

From the academic year 1976-77, Dr. Lawrence requested schools to introduce a scheme of awarding prizes for good conduct to pupils during annual school days. Character, virtues, good manners, good conduct, punctuality, cooperation, devotion to studies, team spirit, regularity and obedience are important aspects in education.

Scholarship to children of teachers

From 1977-78, scholarships were given for the first time to children of teachers who joined professional courses.

Village adoption scheme

This was launched in schools on Republic Day 1977 to introduce an integrated approach to rural development with the cooperation of school students. Its main objective was to create and sustain contact among students and villagers for constructive purposes. The adopted villages would gain a new atmosphere while making education meaningful and realistic to students.

Operation Clean Up

Dr. Lawrence requested schools to launch “Operation clean-up” November 1979. The scheme took the practical form of cleaning doors and windows, removing dirt, dust and cobwebs, whitewashing, painting, and simple repairs. The science laboratory, library, storerooms, playground and classrooms were to be cleaned and made presentable. This was work experience, self-help, social training and practical work for students.

150 years of the Education Department (1826-1977)

Lawrence, as Director of School Education had the unique privilege of organizing the celebration of 150 years of the Education Department in Tamil Nadu on 24 December 1977.

First Prize for School Education Department Float

Dr. Lawrence personally supervised the production of a Float at the Republic Day March Past in 1977. The float had a big painting of Bharati and school students danced and sang popular songs of Bharati. The Committee of judges selected this float as the best among all the floats.

Professional memberships held

Voluntary service

Chairman

President, Leprosy Mission, Madras Chapter

Vice - President

Director, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Chennai

Patron, Home Missionary Society, Chennai

Educational Consultant, AMM Foundation Schools

Member

Secretary, St. George's Cathedral Chennai

Publications

Lawrence has published over 100 professional papers; his books include:

Awards