As the saying 'al ilm ponnani' (knowledge is Ponnani), Ponnani has been an age old centre of learning which attracted students from all over the country.

Ponnani was considered the Al Azhar university of Kerala, for its great religious schools and teachers. Arabic was given great prominence in the syllabi of the religious schools.

William logon says in 'Malabar Manual'  that in 1887, there were 400 students in the 'Juma-masjid' madrasa. Kunjai musaliar, the philosophical poet, umar Khazi - the sufi and freedom fighter, Sheikh sayed Hassan Jifri the renowned scholar who fought the British, Ali Musaliar who was martyred in 1921 while fighting with British - were some of the products of Ponnani Madrasa of Juma Masjid. 

Educational Institutions in Ponnani

M E S College Ponnani:

Established in 19--. MES college has played a significant  role in parting quality higher education to the youth especially from Ponnani, Tirur and Chavakkad taluks. This college is affiliated Calicut  Univarsity.  College offers Masters and Bachelors degree courses in arts, science and commerce discipline.

M E S engineering College in Kuttippuram and Kelapplaji College of agricultural engineering and technology, Thavannur are in ponnani taluk and caters to a large number of students to pursue engineering studies in various disciplines.

Schools:

1. A.V. High School Ponnani.

This century old school started in 1885 is one among the oldest in Malabar and has brought up a number of notable  personalities like C Radhakrishnan, artist Padmini etc.

2. M.I. High School  Ponnani:  Established in 1947.  Played a very important role in the education of backward people from coastal area. This school was recently upgraded to Higher Secondary  and now boasts of two full fledged  higher secondary schools for boys and girls. 

Other high  schools in Ponnani are

3. Thrikkavu Government High school,

4. Girls High school,

5. I S S School,

6. Vijaya Matha High School.

7. N S S High school, Nariparambu.

8. Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan,Ponnani.

8. Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan.