Govt. Training College now known as Govt. College of Teacher Education has a glorious past with a rich academic tradition and excellence.

The institution was started in 1911 (when his Highness Sri Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma was the Maharaja of Travancore and P.Rajagopalachari was the Divan) by raising the status of the Government School, which was functioning hence from 1895. Dr. Clark, an English man was the first Principal and he continued in office for more than a decade. Many illustrious personalities adorned this office afterwards.

The Govt. Training College at Thiruvananthapuram was the first institution of its kind in imparting training for both graduate and undergraduate teachers of erstwhile Travancore State. The institution started functioning at a time when the demand of the State for trained teachers in secondary schools was in great need. Till then the neighbouring province of Madras met the need. But the unexpected change in the policy at Madras to withdraw the facilities for training of graduates in Travancore forced the authorities of Travancore to consider the problem of providing trained graduates for the schools in the State. It is the result of this policy that ultimately led to the establishment of the Govt. Training College at Thiruvananthapuram.

The silver jubilee of this College was celebrated in 1937. The College celebrated its platinum jubilee in 1986. His Excellency Shri.P.Ramachandran, the then Governor of Kerala inaugurated the function. The valedictory function was declared open by the then Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri.K.Karunakaran. Prof.K.C.John was the Chairman and Prof.S.Kesavan Nair, the General Convener of the platinum jubilee celebration committee.

Govt, of Kerala vide G.O. (Rt) No. 1788/94/H.Edn dt. 29th November 1994 have upgraded the Govt. Training College and renamed it as Govt. College of Teacher Education. Since then the College is organizing inservice courses for the High School Assistants of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts in various school subjects and during the current academic year twenty inservice courses were organized and trained about 700 teachers. Our institution was given 12-B type professional status by the University Grants Commission and is functioning in a full-fledged setup with all the essential infrastructure facilities.

Our College is also fortunate in having a Computer Lab, Language Lab and Psychology Lab as per the NCTE norms. Govt. of Kerala has sanctioned the M.Ed course during the year 1998-99. Mr.PJ.Joseph, the former Education Minister inaugurated the M.Ed course. Six batches came out with flying colours and the seventh batch is going on. At present the College offers 10 optional subjects for B.Ed and the sanctioned strength is 200.

In connection with the 90th anniversary of this institution, the College Union, P.T.A and Staff organized ‘Guruvandanam’ on 26.3.2002, and honoured the former Principals and Teacher Educators of this College. The function was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Minister for Education, Adv. Nalakathu Soopy and presided over by M.L.A. Sri.B.Vijayakumar. Dr.A.Sukumaran Nair, former Vice Chancellor, M.G.University; Dr.S. Kevin, Pro Vice Chancellor,Kerala University, Dr.K. Sasikumar, Syndicate Member, Kerala University and yet other reputed personnels felicitated the gathering.

The College has been elevated to the status of Research Department by the University of Kerala.

The College has set up a website in its name which is easily accessible to its students and teachers and who is interested in the activities of the College. The website address is www.gctetvm.com

The College also publishes a periodical journal titled “GCTE Journal of Research and Extension in Education” for communicating our ideas, vision and findings to the academic world and through them to the society. The journal aims at providing an international forum for discussions on problems of education through dissemination of ideas, research findings, interdisciplinary approaches and innovations.

Our institution was given 12-B type professional status by the University Grants Commission and is functioning in a rull-fledged setup with all the essential infrastructure facilities.

The institution acquired the status of a Residential Campus including the College buildings, staff quarters, hostels for men and women, auditorium and play grounds.

The main building of the College is a two storied one with Principal's room, administrative section, staff room, Geography classroom, general library, research room, two general halls, one Seminar hall, Audio-visual room, Computer room and three classrooms viz. M.Ed, English & Geography, on upstairs. The Physical Science department, Natural Science department, Natural Science Museum and two classrooms are functioning in the ground floor of this building.

A concrete terraced building with five classrooms is situated behind the main building. This building was constructed utilizing the funds of the University Grants Commission during the year 1998.

A two storied building with four classrooms viz. Malayalam, Sanskrit, Hindi & Tamil. The Educational Technology lab, Psychology lab, Language lab, Seminar Hall, Ladies waiting room and toilets also function in this building.

(i) Technology Lab is equipped with five computers, LCD Projector, Overhead Projectors, and a Multimedia System with Internet facility.

(ii) Language Lab consists of nine cabins with one headphone in each. An audio system with tape recorder, headphone and master microphone controls the functions in the lab. Nine trainees can be trained simultaneously in the language lab.

The Seminar Hall can accommodate 150-200 persons and is well furnished.

The staff quarters comprises of four family quarters; one for the Principal, one for Office staff and two quarters for teaching staff. All of them are at present occupied

Separate hostels for men and women are available in the Campus itself. The hostel for men can accommodate 15 inmates and that of women can hold 30 inmates.

A full-fledged library is functioning in this College. It extends its facilities to students and teachers and even to students and scholars of other Colleges. The Library consists of 26699 books on various titles. The Library subscribes almost 22 journals and magazines too.

At present the College offers 10 optional subjects for B.Ed and the sanctioned strength is 200. Strength for M.Ed Course is 6. The total strength of teaching staff is 16 including the Principal. More than ten members of the teaching faculty are Ph.D holders and are engaged in various activities especially conducting seminars, conferences and workshops. They are voluntarily helping other governmental and non-governmental organizations as experts and resource persons.