Rev CTE Rhenius, a German Missionary worked in Tirunelveli for 18 years from 1820. Along with Christian religious work, he contributed to the growth of Tamil literature. He was also conscious of social uplift and helped to eliminate caste discrimination and ignorance specially among the poor in Tirunelveli. So he started schools in Tirunelveli district, which then included Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Tuticorin districts. This schools provided education to the poor, the downtrodden, and the oppressed who were denied education by the zamindars and small land lords.
After him, missionaries like Rev. Ragland, Rev. Schaffter, and others also started primary schools. The teachers were paid by the various Christian missions. In 1920, Tamil Nadu government recognized these schools and provided grants to teachers which continues till now. Building construction and provision of other facilities were undertaken by the school administration.
Initially the schools were functioning in mudwalled buildings. Later new buildings were constructed for some schools with the help of the respective villagers. Even today, more than 80 schools are functioning in tiled buildings. Some of these schools were upgraded as primary schools and middle schools from 2010. Currently the schools are running under the name TDTA in the Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts.
These schools which are now more than 150 years old are functioning with Tamil as medium of instruction, for the benefit of the poor and needy children of the rural people.