Dr. N. Parameswaran Pillai(popularly known as Dr. N. P Pillai), the veteran educationist was born at Ereniel, presenly in the Kanyakumari Dist. of Tamilnadu, on 26th July, 1912. Dr. Pillai had his early education at the Govt. High School, Eranial District, then part of Travancore. He obtained his B.A.(Hons) from Madras University with distinction and secured a Gold Medal for his performance. He had his L.T. Degree from Travancore University with flying colours and Ph.D in Education from Birmingham University(UK). Dr. Pillai had also secuered several higher qualifications like diploma in Methods of Historical Research, Industrial Psychology , Vocational Guidance, Educational Measurement etc. Dr. Pillai was associated with the Universities Chicago, Harvard, Princeton and Stanford. He was awarded the prestigious George Cadbury Prize of the Birmingham University for his Ph.D thesis on "Educational Ideas of Mahatma Gandhi"
Dr. Pillai was a born educationist who intentionally opted for the teaching profession when several other positions open to him. He started his career as a High School Teacher in the Government High School, Ereniel and later at the SMV Govt. High School at Thiruvannthapuram. Acquiring higher qualifications he was promoted as Lecturer in History at the Government Training College, Trivandrum and was selected as the First Professor and Head of the Department of Education, University of Kerala. In 1968 he was offered the post of Educational Expert in the University of Philippines by the UNESCO.
Dr. Pillai was accepted as one of the top experts in education in the country during the period. He was instrumental in organizing many National Conferences/Seminars and served in many national committees of the UGC, NCERT etc. He actively participated in the International Forums convened by the UNESCO at Afganistan, Burma, Indonesia, Nepal, China, Singapore, Srilanka etc. During his time he was a much sought-after educationist at both the national and international levels. Dr. Pillai served as the Vice Chairmanof Bharath Sevak Samaj. Chairman of Child Welfare Council, Centre for Educational Research, Innovation and Development, Member of the Presidium of KANFED and Director, State Resource Centre(SRC) etc. He also Chaired the State Committee for Education. He started the Forum for Educational Research and Training Kerala(FERSK) and also founded the international journal- Studies in Education.
Dr. Pillai could be described as the father of educational research in India. He gave a new shape and direction to educational research. He has produced more than a dozen Ph.Ds covering different areas of education. He was instrumental in modernizing teacher education. He developed the Department of Education, Kerala University as an effective launching pad for his followers to carry on their work in teacher education. He authored a number of books on education both English and Malayalam. He also published several research papers in national and international journals.
Dr. Pillai was active in the Indian Association of Teacher Education(IATE), All India Federation of Educational Association(AIFEA), World Confederation of Teaching Profession(WCOTP), International Association of Educators for World Peace(IAEWP) etc. The University Grants Commission(UGC), National Council for Educational Research and Training(NCERT) and NIEPA all looked to him for help in formulating national policies. A known Gandhian, Dr. Pillai also associated himself with Kerala Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi and Kerala Hindi Prachar Sabha.
Dr. Pillai's pleasing manners and stout short physique are still fresh in the minds of all who happened to come in contact with him. It may not be a strange coincidence that his historical innings came to an end on the early hours of 5th September 1984, the Teachers' Day.
