::: Star Insight :::

Guru Griho
From Sirajganj
History of B. L Govt. High School

Golam Mostafa Jibon

B.L Government High School standing on the western bank of Jamuna River with a long and glorious history is the biggest and oldest school in Sirajganj district.

Many enlightened persons, poets, politicians and eminent artists were produced by this school.

At first, the school faced manifold problems, including fund crisis, land shortage and erosion by river Jamuna. After a long time, the problems were somewhat resolved and the school got a new life through the help of a local Zemindar.

Mr. Abdur Rashid: Present Headmaster

It is learnt that, some people who knew that education was the backbone of a nation responded to the call of time and established the school on the western bank of Jamuna River and on the eastern side of Sirajganj town in 1869. Its name at first was Sirajganj High School. Though the names of the promoters are often forgotten yet every particle of sand of the school ever remembers their heroic deed.

After the establishment of the school it faced the threat of erosion by Jamuna river due to lack of flood protection dam. But no one came forward to help the school for a long period.

About 45 years later, the school attracted the attention of Babu Bonwary Lal, the then Zemindar of Tarash. He came to the town with a palanquin to visit his lands and noticed the poor condition of the school. He was aware of the necessity of education and wanted to develop the school.

In 1914 the respectable Zemindar undertook the responsibility of development of the school and allotted five acres of land to it. He transferred the school to a safer place to save it from river erosion by Jamuna. He also built a school hostel with accommodation for fifty boarders and a big building with some class and teachers' rooms. Then, the name of the school was changed to B (Bonowary). L (Lal) school, following the name of Bonowary Lal.

Who the founding Headmaster of the school was could not be known. Kuloda Prosonno Chowdhury took over the charge of Headmaster around 1915 and Babu Shasi Mohon Sharker in 1917. Later, many learned and competent headmasters like Abu Toyob, Abdur Rahman, Sakawat Ali Mian and Darog Ali successfully worked there.

The B. L School was nationalized in 1969, after a century of its establishment. The school got a new shape and new charm as a Government institution. Highly educated teachers were appointed, more buildings were constructed and the number of students started to increase day by day. As a result, the school got a great lift from all sides.

From the beginning till now, the school has been conducting a vital role for the education of the northern region of the country by producing many educated and learned persons, for example, Md. Abdullah Al Mahmud, former Industrial Affairs Minister of Pakistan government, Captain Monsur Ali, former Prime minister and father of former Home Minister of Bangladesh Government and central AL leader Mohammad Nasim (MP), Babu Mukul Chandra, grandson of the famous mathematician Babu Jadob Chandra Chakrabarti, Dr. M.A Matin, former Home Minister of Bangladesh Government, Monowarul Islam and Dr. Abdullah Al Muti Sharfuddin. They achieved brilliant results in the Matriculation and S.S.C examinations from the institution. Some of the above mentioned persons are still alive and are working at home and aboard. By their uncommon contribution, they have made the school a reputed institution in the country.

The school achieved first place three times in the district level and it has been achieving the best result in both the S.S.C and junior scholarship Examination thus attracting attention of more and more people.

There is a library with more than 2500 thousands books including some rare collections. At present there are about 850 students in the school and it is run by 27 highly educated and experienced teachers including a Headmaster and an assistance headmaster. This year, a total of 30 students got GPA-5, while 21 had obtained GPA-5 last year.

The school opens at 10.00 am, and all students have to join the regular assembly. They recite one or two verses from the holy Quran, hoist national flag, sing national anthem, take oath and go on P.T parade under the guidance of the physical teacher. All these activities in the assembly help the students to make them highly disciplined, which is much needed to achieve the ultimate goal of life.

Both mental and physical health are needed to perform the responsibilities in life smoothly and effectively. Emphasis is given in the school on sports and games. The participatin of the students is not confined within the walls of the school.

They also take part in the same outside the school. In addition, cultural functions are held annually to encourage the students to do better over all performance. Valuable prizes are given to the best students. In the school there are some co-curricular institutions like Cadet Corps, Red-Crescent, Scouts and Cubs so that the students can take part in national development programs. Thus the students of B. L Govt. High School can render useful services to the people when needed.

A light tiffin is given regularly to the students in the recess period so that the students may regain their lost energy
and can do their class works successfully.

Mr. Abdur Rashid, of Chapai-nawabganj is the present Headmaster, who joined the school on June 05, 2005 and started to run it with discipline. After his joining, the school has solved many problems it was facing.

He has curbed the irregularities of the staff and managed to control the infiltration of unhealthy politics in the school.

While taking with THE DAILY STAR he said, I feel proud to maintain the best result of our students in the district. If I continue in the school as Headmaster, I shall try my best to help the students by spending all my industry.

He, however, informed me about his accommodation problem due to absence of any quarter for the Headmaster.

He urged the government to immediately establish a quarter for the Headmaster.