Kelappaji Memorial Vocational Higher Secondary School, Tavanur, had its simple origin as Sarvodayapuram Post Basic School, started by late Sarvodaya Leader Sri. K. Kelappan in 1960. Sri. I. K. Kumaran Master, Sarvodaya Leader from Mahe, was the first School correspondent. After him, Adv. Punnakkal Kuttisankaran Nair from Tirur, was the Manager of the School for along period. Smt. U.Nanikutty Amma from Koyilandi, was the first Head Mistress of the School. The School covered its initial hurdles under the long period of Head Mastership of Sri. T.G. Sreedharan Master and flourished to fame. The system of curriculum existed during that period was that each student should take either agriculture or weaving as compulsory subject, a system of basic education based on the social values envisaged by Gandhiji. Later in 1970, Kelappaji handed over the School, due to failing health, to a committee of the local people, presided by late Sri. Vasudevan Namboothiri of Tavanur Mana. Kalappaji died on 7th October, 1971. Later the school was renamed as Kalappan Memorial Post Basic School in memory of Kalappaji. This Committee handed over the School to the Government in 1st January, 1981.
Considerable changes took place since the School was taken over by the Government. Due to increased number of students, limited area of the School posed a serious problem and the shift system was introduced. Taking into consideration of the availability of cultivable land of the School, agriculture based Vocational courses were commenced after 1983. Many of those, who have successfully completed this course and Agriculture course of the Post Basic stream, are now working as senior officers of Agriculture Department.
The shift system had adversely affected percentage of success. As a result, percentage of SSLC result, which was one of highest once, slowly came to lower levels. But shift system had to be continued upto 1981. Being a Government School, a number of Head Masters have led the school during this period. All of them have contributed exemplary service to the School.
By 1999, shift system was slowly abolished. As the first phase, shift system was abolished in X th class and brought to regular system. Now shift system is fully abolished and the whole school in working from 10.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m. The financial assistance received from the District Panchayat, M.P fund of Sri. A. Vijayaraghavan, M. P and Sri. E. T. Muhammed Basheer, have helped the School to construct new buildings and thereby to abolish the shift system. The School extents its sincere gratitude to all the assistance received. Abolition of the shift system has helped to increase percentage of SSLC result. The School could achieve 85% success in the SSLC Examination conducted in March, 2008.
The V.H.S.C Section has also passed through difficult periods during its initial years. Lack of permanent and efficient teachers, doubts about the possibilities of the course etc. had created problems. But during the last few years, V.H.S.C is performing well not only in studies but in extra curricular activities such as Arts and Athletic competitions.
