Feature

Platinum jubilee of St. Alfred's School in Barisal

Rafiqul Islam

The programme started with the recitation from the Holy Quran and welcome note delivered by Sister Agnes Yvonne Gomes, head teacher of the school.

Little students of SAHS sang the welcome song in their wonderfully cheerful voice and set the function in a jovial mood. The little students presented the history of SAHS in the tune of a jari gaan. It was followed by recitation of a poem by Sylvester Gomes, a former headmaster of the school.

His Excellency Most Rev. Joseph Marino, the Apostolic Nuncio, the Vatican Ambassador to Bangladesh, quoting The Pope Benedict XVI said a vibrant educational system is essential to strengthen democracies.

Both the state and the church have respective roles in helping families impart wisdom, knowledge and moral virtues to their children, so that they can come to recognize the dignity common to all men and women, including those belonging to cultures and religions different from their own. He said in his speech as the chief guest.

Dr. Md. Golam Mustafa Talukdar, secretary of the ministry of youth and sports attended the progrmme as the chief guest on the concluding.

Father God-Fray joined as the first headmaster of the school. The school building and other facilities were expanded between 1933 and 1953.Two separate hostels were constructed in 1956. Though British East India Company patronized in running the school, many of the students of the school became defiant against the British rule.

The school celebrated its 75th founding anniversary on January 30 and 31 through organising various colourful programmes on the school premises with the presence of at least five thousand present and former students and teachers. The whole area wore a festive look to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the school. Cultural events- songs, dance and folk numbers were held adding colour to the festival.

Eleven freedom fighters who were the students of the school were also awarded in the festival. Among the students who attended the occasion were Professor Kazi Shahadad Hossion, ABM Ruhul Amin Howladar, local lawmaker and JP Secretary General, Brig.Gn. (Retd) Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, former BNP lawmaker, Sajjadul Islam Mollah, James Gomes Md. Jasim Uddin and Sajjadul Islam Nayon.

While expressing his feeling, Brig.Gn. (Retd) Anwar Hossain Chowdhury said, "I thank him who first came up with the idea of such a grand festival to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the School. I never thought that after such a long time I would meet my school friends who are living in different parts of the country and abroad."

Freedom fighter Professor Kazi Shahadad Hossion said that after 45 years he met his school friends and spent two days recollecting memories of his school days, which had been the sweetest part of his life.

Another freedom fighter Professor Banik Annando Nath said that this school taught the students to be patriotic and to fight against all odds in the society. Noted writer and journalist Sajjadul Islam Nayon said, "I feel fortunate that I was a student of this School."

The role of the students of this school in the Language Movement in 1952 and the Liberation War in 1971 has found due place in the history of this country. Many students of the school led the Language Movement in the southern region. In 1971, about one hundred students of this school joined sector no: 9 and fought against the Pakistani occupation army.

The academic achievements of the school is quite noteworthy. In 2008, five students got the primary scholarships and nine students got the junior scholarships in the talent pool. The students got the GPA 5 along with 94% pass.

Sylvester Gomes and his crew seemed to have surprised the good result in 2007 with 75% success. The school authority arranged a grand reception for Sylvester Gomes and the meritorious students. The school bade farewell to the retiring teachers Benancio D'costa, Bro. Lawrence Dias and Bro. Ojay.

Rajendra Mohan Nath is the renowned Science teacher whose magical touch inspired countless students to become doctors, physicists, chemists, pharmacists and computer engineers, as well as renowned business personalities of the country.

(Barisal Correspondent of The Daily Star)