Frederick Gordon Pearce, widely known as F.G. Pearce, who served as the Principal of Mahinda College in Galle, was a trailblazer who established the foundation for Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya in Galle and Rahula College in Matara. A renowned English educator, he was also instrumental in establishing several notable schools in India.
Pearce introduced the Boy Scouts movement to Galle, inspired by Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell. Under the guidance of Annie Besant, the then President of the Theosophical Society, he became a pioneer in promoting the Boy Scouts movement in India. Additionally, he was a founder of the public school movement in India.
From March 1945 to May 1950, Pearce served as an Assistant Secretary in Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education, where he made significant contributions to broadening educational opportunities for children.
In commemoration of Pearce’s legacy his son Vikram Pearce, who currently serves as the chairman of the F.G. Pearce Trust, arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday (19).
To honour the memory of his father, Vikram Pearce visited Sanghamitta College in Galle, Rahula College in Matara, and Mahinda College in Galle over three days starting Wednesday (20), walking in the footsteps of his father’s remarkable journey. This brief note is dedicated to this occasion.
Mahinda College, Galle
Pearce was an outstanding English educator born on 24 March 1892 in England. Intriguingly, his birth occurred just 24 days after the founding of Mahinda College in Galle.
A master of the English language from a young age, Pearce earned a Bachelor of Arts with honours from the University of London. During his university years, he was both a cricketer and a Boy Scout leader, showcasing his multifaceted talents and leadership abilities.
When it came to higher education, Pearce was a staunch theosophist. As a young man, he was well-versed in the principles and activities of the Theosophical Society and also deeply admired Buddhist philosophy.
This inclination inspired his desire to travel to South Asia, and he soon received an ideal opportunity: an invitation to assume the role of Vice Principal at Mahinda College in Galle.
At the time, Mahinda College was under the leadership of another distinguished English educator, F.L. Woodward, who served as Principal from 1903-1919. Woodward remains a legendary figure in the history of Mahinda College.
It was Woodward who relocated Mahinda College from Peddler Street within the Galle Fort to a picturesque hill in Elliot Road (now Woodward Mawatha) known as Dawatagahawatta. He laid a strong foundation for the school and established the enduring ‘Woodward tradition,’ which continues to nourish Mahinda College to this day.
During his tenure as Principal, Woodward introduced the position of Vice Principal at Mahinda College for the first time, specifically inviting Pearce to take on the role. This decision was part of Woodward’s vision for the revival and progress of Mahinda College.
Accordingly, Pearce travelled from London to Galle and assumed duties as Vice Principal of Mahinda College on 25 October 1913. From that point onwards, Pearce, honouring the Woodward tradition, dedicated himself to the advancement of Mahinda College.
Contributions to Scouting
Although the Boy Scouts movement had been introduced to Sri Lanka under the leadership of Francis George Stevens, it was Pearce who, two years later, brought it to Galle. Despite having been at Mahinda College for only eight months, Pearce established the first Galle Mahinda Boy Scouts Troop in June 1914.
In the book ‘Woodward: Out of His Life and Thought’ by D.H. Pandita Gunewardene, the following is mentioned about Pearce:
The motto of the Scout movement worldwide is ‘Be Prepared,’ which, among other things, signifies that Scouts must train themselves to always be ready and able to help others in times of sudden or unexpected need. Pearce introduced an additional motto for the Mahinda College Scout Corps in Sinhala: ‘Loweda Pinisa Samagi Weemu,’ which translates to ‘We have joined together for the service of the community’. Pearce stated that Scouting aimed at achieving three objectives: 1. Discipline, 2. Observation, 3. Usefulness.
Under Pearce’s leadership, by 1916, the Mahinda Scout Troop produced its first King’s Scout, S. Tennyson De Silva, and in the same year, S. Ginege also earned the same title.
Having initiated the first Boy Scouts Troop at Mahinda College, Pearce did not stop there. He actively led efforts to introduce the Scouts movement to other schools in the Southern Province, becoming a pioneer in spreading this important initiative.
Pearce played an outstanding role as the Secretary of the Southern Province Boy Scouts Association and later as the first Boy Scouts Commissioner for both the Galle District and the Southern Province.
Under Pearce’s leadership, the first Mahinda Boy Scouts Troop in Galle was established. Regarding its progress, Mahinda College Principal Woodward sent a report published in the Mahinda magazine to Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Scout Movement.
Impressed by these developments, Baden-Powell expressed his delight in a reply letter to Woodward on 10 October 1916, wishing to visit Sri Lanka for a scouting tour if invited.
The Theosophical Society of that era also recognised Pearce’s ability to expand the Boy Scouts movement. Following Henry Steel Olcott, Indian National Congress President Besant, who had become the first female president of the Theosophical Society, invited Pearce to assist in establishing the Boy Scouts movement in India.
Accepting this invitation, Pearce, in 1916, sent G.P. Ariyaratne (later known as Galappaththi Ariyaratne), the Patrol Leader of the first Galle Mahinda Scouts Troop, to Madanapalle in Madras. In June 1916, a scouting group inspired by Mahinda’s troop activities was established at Madanapalle College. However, official recognition from the central organisation for this troop was delayed.
In December 1916, Pearce, who had gone on vacation to Madurai, India, had the opportunity to deliver a lecture at the Madurai Gokhale Hall, where he met with young leaders, including Ariyaratne and others from Madanapalle. During this visit, he provided necessary guidance for organising the scouts group and also participated in training the scout leaders.
According to the Woodward tradition, the Mahinda Hostel was opened on 1 October 1917 for long-term service to Mahinda students through the intervention of Pearce.
While engaged in this significant work for Mahinda, Pearce resigned from the position of Vice Principal of Mahinda College and travelled to Madurai in May 1918. His aim was to establish the Indian Scout Movement and ensure its proper organisation.
Later, many distinguished individuals, including Dr. S.A. Wickramasinghe, the Founder of the Sri Lanka Communist Party, and senior journalist D.B. Dhanapala, who is considered a pioneer in modern journalism, demonstrated exceptional skills while representing the first Galle Mahinda Scout Troop under Pearce’s leadership at that time.
Pearce, who went to India, expressed his views on the founding of the Indian Scout Association at the Gokhale Hall in October 1918, where he served as the Chief Commissioner of the Indian Scout Association. His speech was also included in the 1918 report of the Madurai National Education Promotion Society.
Although not in the form of a directory, many Mahinda Scouts, under Pearce’s guidance, contributed to the establishment of the Scout Movement in India.
Jinadasa Vijayatunga, a media professional who worked for newspapers such as The London Times, The New York Times, The Manchester Guardian, The Spectator, and The New Statesman, and who authored ‘Grass for My Feet,’ was also a Mahinda Scout who went to Bombay (Mumbai) in 1918. He became the first London correspondent for the Lake House organisation, appointed by D.R. Wijewardena. At that time, S.W. de Silva, a Mahinda Scout, was in charge of the first group of scouts in the city of Adyar, India.
By this time, a close relationship had developed between Pearce and Muhandiram F.A. Wickramasinghe, and on 27 June 1915, Wickramasinghe laid the foundation for the first science laboratory at Mahinda College.
Sanghamitta Vidyalaya, Galle
During this period, Mahinda College Vice Principal Pearce and his wife proposed to Wickramasinghe to establish a school in the south suitable for Buddhist girls to learn English.
Accordingly, on 19 March 1919, the renowned philanthropist and social worker Wickramasinghe (Manager of Mahinda College in 1920), started the Sanghamitta Vidyalaya in Galle with his charitable donations. At its inception, the primary section of Sanghamitta Vidyalaya operated alongside the primary section of Mahinda College.
After going to India in 1918, Pearce returned to Sri Lanka and took over as the Principal of Mahinda College on 22 February 1921. At that time, 446 students were enrolled at Mahinda College and 21 teachers were serving. Additionally, 28 students were receiving education as boarders.
The Pearce era is also an immortal period in the history of Mahinda College. The Woodward Memorial Library, the Weaving Department, the Infant Department, the fellowship of teachers, the second hostel, and the College Parliament (student parliament) were established and maintained by him in 1921. By 1922, the number of students at the school had increased to 650.
Woodward (1903-1919) returned to Mahinda College on 9 June 1922 at the invitation of the then Principal Pearce. During his visit, Woodward laid the foundation stone for the Hendrick de Silva Hostel shrine room.
Due to his association with India and his significance in the Theosophical Society, Mahinda College, during Pearce’s tenure, became a place touched by renowned Theosophists and prominent Indians.
Among the distinguished figures who visited Mahinda College in 1922 were Theosophical Society President Besant; Sarojini Naidu, a well-known Indian political activist and poetess; Dr. Rabindranath Tagore, a pioneer in modern Indian literature and arts; Charles Freer Andrews, an activist for Indian independence; and C. Jinarajadasa, who served as the Vice President of the Theosophical Society since 1921.
Rahula College, Matara
During his tenure as Principal of Mahinda College, Galle (1921-23), Pearce initiated another significant endeavour: the establishment of Rahula College in Matara.
In collaboration with D.T.W. Rajapaksha Ralahamy and the esteemed R.A.D. Gunawardena Maha Kulathunga, Pearce founded the Matara Buddhist Society in 1921 while serving as Principal of Mahinda College.
On 1 May 1923, this society established Parakramabahu College on Matara Main Street, which later became Rahula College. According to the history of Rahula College, Pearce is credited with delivering the first lesson to its students.
After returning to India, Pearce was appointed the Founding Principal of the Scindia School in the Gwalior Fort region of central India. Serving as Principal for nearly 15 years, from 1929 to 1943, he elevated the school to become a leading institution that harmonised with Indian culture.
Drawing on the inspiration he gained during his tenure as principal of Mahinda College, Pearce went on to establish Scindia School, which is now one of India’s leading schools. The section about Pearce in the school’s history unveils an intriguing hidden story.
It notes that Pearce was renowned as ‘Mahatteya’ among the schools he served and his contemporaries.
Upon his return to Sri Lanka from India, Pearce began serving as an Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Education.
During this period, Rahula College in Matara celebrated its silver jubilee. Coinciding with this, in 1949, Pearce and his wife attended the opening of Rahula College’s Jubilee Hall, which was also the first science laboratory in the Matara District. This event underscored the strong bond between Pearce and Rahula College, where he made significant contributions as one of its founders and worked tirelessly for its future development.
Through his contributions to Mahinda, Sanghamitta, and Rahula Colleges, Pearce played a vital role in advancing education in southern Sri Lanka. Following his appointment as Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Education, he made another remarkable contribution by initiating the establishment of the Educational Research Council, leaving a lasting impact on Sri Lanka’s education sector.
In 1949, Pearce returned to India to begin his role as the Principal of Rishi Valley School in South India. During his tenure, he implemented numerous innovations, including involving students in agriculture, creating individualised curricula for students, and abolishing the system of annual examinations.
Later years
After serving as the Principal of Rishi Valley School for nearly a decade, he played a key role in establishing the Netarhat Residential School in Jharkhand, North India.
The history of the school states: “F. G. Pearce’s scheme finally received the general approval of the Bihar Government in 1952, and the Residential School was opened on 15 November 1954 at Netarhat with Sir Charles Napier as its First Principal.”
Additionally, in 1961, he founded the Blue Mountains School in Ooty, Tamil Nadu.
For his contributions to Indian education, Pearce was recognised and appreciated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.
Pearce also contributed numerous articles to Theosophical magazines. He was a poet and author as well. His published works include ‘The Struggle of Modern Man,’ ‘A Round of Rajput Tales’ (co-authored with G.P. Ariyaratna, Prabhat Nyogi, and R.P. Bhargava), ‘The Coconut Lands of Southern India,’ ‘Kerala (India)’ (co-authored with Meena Johnson), ‘Sonnets of a Schoolmaster and Other Verse,’ and ‘The Dawn of Freedom: An Outline History of Civilisation from AD 1200 to AD 1900’.
Pearce, who dedicated his life to a great mission, concluded his selfless journey in 1962.
A lasting legacy
Following in his footsteps, his son, Vikram Pearce, worked towards the noble goal of providing education for all by establishing schools. Later, through the F.G. Pearce Foundation, Vikram became deeply involved in remarkable social service initiatives.
F.G. Pearce, a distinguished educator who played a significant role in shaping the future of three renowned educational institutions in Sri Lanka – known for producing globally recognised scholars and intellectuals – left a lasting legacy. His son Vikram honoured his father’s memory by retracing his life and achievements this year.
This journey, which began recently at Scindia School in India, was expected to continue with visits to Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya and Rahula College, concluding at Mahinda College on Friday (22). At Mahinda College, he was on hand to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the First Galle Scout Troop and the 25th anniversary of the Mahinda College Old Scouts’ Association.
This initiative served as an inspiring milestone for the current and past students of Mahinda, Sanghamitta, and Rahula Colleges, as well as for the entire community.