Kodaikanal International School (KIS), Kodaikanal began as a school for the children of missionaries in 1901. It became an international school and the first school in India to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) in 1975. Today, it is an autonomous, multicultural school, preparing students for entry into colleges and universities around the world.

Located in Kodaikanal, known for its rugged beauty and salubrious climate, the school provides the ideal backdrop for excellence in education, both curricular and extra-curricular. KIS is co-educational with a student body of 500 from pre-school to Grade 12, from more than 40 countries. The educational system is so designed as to benefit from the richness of this diversity of cultures. The values of the school are expressed in programmes, and a spiritual environment where students and staff of various backgrounds, religions and nationalities share together in a living, loving and learning community.

The KIS curriculum includes emphasis on the responsibility of all people for the societies in which they live. This emphasis is embodied in a strong social experience curriculum, courses targeted at social and environmental concerns, and the integration of field work and service opportunities. The life of the KIS school community is enriched by a variety of extra-curricular activities also. These include: intra-mural and inter-school sports competitions, hiking and camping, inter-school cultural festivals, dramatic and musical productions,  leadership development through Student Government and representation on school committees.

The centenary celebrations is also an occasion for the school to strengthen its Indian roots, as elucidated in the statement- "we are committed to being a constructive part of the life of this nation. Our commitment to Indian society under girds our desire to educate and educate well in this setting. We are committed to education that takes the richness of Indian history and culture seriously and that takes a progressive stance on positive social change in this context".

The Department of Posts is happy to issue this commemorative stamp as part of the observation of the centenary of KIS.

The stamp design depicts the role played by the school in nurturing and fostering creativity, in harmony with nature; the environment of Kodaikanal against the open book symbolising the journey to be taken and much else besides. The First Day Cover carries a collage representing the different facets of the school.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India