Education provides a route out of poverty and transforms lives. VMT’s mission is to give every child in Kovalam an excellent education and the opportunity of a fulfilling career.

We encourage families to support their children’s education and to see that longer learning brings greater benefits to everyone.

The Venkat Trust provides buildings, teachers, books, equipment and uniforms – and supports pupils from their earliest primary school days, through high school and onto university or college.

The Trust supports the Panchayat school (the village state primary) and Kovalam High School, which it built and equipped. This includes ensuring that high standards are maintained, that specialist teachers, books, equipment and uniforms are provided and buildings are well cared for.

Among the 50 villages in the area – known as the Thiruporur Block – Kovalam came top in academic results, school maintenance and attendance and the Panchayat school had even better results than St Joseph’s, the fee paying school.

The Panchayat school has come far since the neglected state it was in when the Venkat Trust first became involved in 2004. As a result the Government  granted it English and Tamil streams so that those with more ability can learn all their lessons in English.

Further education has become essential in today’s world to progress to a good career. This is the first step for the young people and their families to see an end to their lives of poverty and to be able to look forward to a bright future.

VMT funds college/university fees undergraduate and post graduate students every year. This covers all fee and incidental costs for their three or four years of study. Successful students are chosen on the basis of academic ability, character and economic need. We also hold workshops and training sessions for the students on soft skills, communication, written and spoken English, business practice and interview techniques.

We monitor  students’ performance and attendance and look out for any assistance required. We regularly meet the students as a group and also individually to assist with any difficulties they may have with their studies or at home and arrange extra help if needed.

About 35 of our graduates now have successful careers.

As well as doctors, lawyers and teachers, Kovalam needs skilled craftsmen and women. The Trust pays the fees of any students wishing to go on to vocational training when they leave school.

The Trust funds these salaries:

• English Teacher for the Panchayat Union Primary School
• Physical Education Teacher for the High School
• Tamil Teacher
• Computer Science Teacher
• Snooker Coach