Schools-The Foundation Builders

Profile of Some Schools in Chittagong

Tabassum Mokhduma

Bengali Medium Schools:
Chittagong has some of the oldest Bengali Medium Schools of the country that produced some of the finest talents who have made Bangladesh proud. With low tuition fees and comprehensive education under the syllabus of the National Education Board, students of these school are involved in different extra-curricular activities besides their education. Following are the extracts of some of the schools.

The oldest school in Chittagong, Chittagong Collegiate School (Established in 1836), is a secondary school in the southern part of the port city. Primarily, it was established as Chittagong Government School, which was the first English medium high school in Chittagong. In 1886, the school was relocated in its present location at Ice Factory Road, South Nalapara, near the Chittagong Railway Station, and was named as Chittagong Collegiate School. Until the first decade of the twentieth century, the school was popularly known as the Entrance School. Mr. Kundu was its first principal and played a major role in his tenure in establishing the institution as one of the best in the country. In 2008 the Government renamed the school Chittagong Collegiate School and College. The school campus is considered one of the largest campuses in Bangladesh that includes a playground, which is one of the largest among Bangladeshi schools and also has a Mosque. The school was awarded the country's Best School Award in 1992.

Saint Placid's High School (SPS) was founded by the Anglo Belgian Benedictines (Congregation of Holy Cross) in Chittagong in 1853 when the country was under British occupation. The school was named after Saint Placid, a Benedictine Saint of the 6th century. It was the first school to be taken over by Religious Order of Holy Cross in 1853. It has been regarded as one of the top schools in the country.

Chittagong Municipal Model High School, established in 1880, is also one of the oldest schools in Chittagong. Shyamacharan Sen, a social worker of Gairala village of Patiya was the founder and first headmaster of this school. In the beginning it was only a junior school and stood at the location of the Baptist Mission Church in Firingibazar. Later, Chittagong Municipality shifted the school to its present place in the New Market area and upgraded it to a high school.

Dr. Khastagir Government Girls' High School is one of the well-known girls' schools of the country which started its journey in 1907. Established by Annadacharan Khastagir, a pioneer in women's education in Chittagong, it is located near Jamal Khan in the central part of the city. The school is one of the top schools of Chittagong and is known for its outstanding results in S.S.C.

Aparna Charan City Corporation Girls' High School was established in 1927. The first Headmistress of the school was Pritilata Waddedar, who perhaps needs no introduction. The school which was previously known as Aparna Charan Girls' High School came under Chittagong City Corporation in the year 1997. It is one of the most reputable City Corporation schools in Chittagong.

Ispahani Public School & College is another well known school located on Zakir Hossain Road, Chittagong. The institution offers primary, secondary and higher secondary education facilities under Chittagong Education Board. Founded by Mirza Ahmad Ispahani in 1979, the institution is known for its excellent results and discipline all over the country.

Another old school Chittagong Government High School was established in 1906 as Chittagong Modern English (M.E.) School. The school was converted into a Government school in 1917. In 1963, the school's name was again changed to Chittagong Junior Government High School. The school was renamed to its current name in 1977 and since then it has become a centre of Secondary Education in Chittagong City.

Chittagong Government Girls' High School, Nasirabad is another leading school in Chittagong which started in 1967. The school, popularly known as Nasirabad Girls' High School is one of the largest schools in the port city with a spacious premise.

Outside the main city, Rangamati Government High School is another old school of Chittagong division. Established in 1890, it is the first high school in Chittagong Hill Tracts, situated in the Rangamati district. It is one of the ancient schools in Bangladesh with a rich historic background. The school has the reputation for being one of the top ranked schools in Bangladesh. In the Liberation War of the country in 1971, many students of this school took part in the war. Both Tribal and Non-tribal students study in the school under a co-education system.

English Medium Schools:
Chittagong has a good number of English Medium Schools providing education of international standards. Besides teaching a wide range of subjects, the schools are getting more popularity day by day because of their variety of extra-curricular activities including sports, drama, music, dance, debate, creative writing among others. Apart from these, the English Medium Schools are also organizing several training programmes for their teaching staffs and also send them abroad for better training on a regular basis.

Little Jewels School is the first English medium school of the country teaching British Curriculum in the post-liberation period. Starting its journey back in 1974 with only seven foreigner students under the brilliant leadership of its Principal Dilruba Ahmed, it has successfully completed its 36 years. In the year 2000 the school started its O Level programme and from 2005 it started its A Level. This year, the school also introduced the National Curriculum System in English and at present it is providing education to the students of class six to ten under this curriculum.

Established in 1985, Sunshine Grammar School and College is another older English medium school of the port city. The 25 year old school provides education in both British Curriculum and National Curriculum System. The school played a great role in expanding English Medium education in the city. This is the first English Medium School in Chittagong which started its O and A Level Programme under Edexcel. The school is also the first English Medium School in Chittagong to start H.S.C. programme.

Another English Medium School in the port city is Bay View School, which was established in the year 1990 and is located in O.R. Nizam Road of Chittagong. The school is celebrating 20th year Anniversary this year. The school has been teaching the British Curriculum under Edexcel and it is an approved Edexcel Examination Centre. The school also introduced the National Curriculum System in English over six years ago and has already had two successful batches that completed SSC under this curriculum.

William Carey Academy (WCA) is another leading schools in Chittagong that provides English-medium instruction using an American curriculum. The goal of the school is to provide a model of international-standard education that will prepare Bangladeshi students for study at world-class universities. The school was founded in 1996 with grades K to 3

Chittagong Grammar School (CGS) was founded in 1992, and has since achieved an excellent standing within the community in a very short time. A derelict building on Sarson Road was renovated and refurbished to house the school which opened in January 1993. There were only five classes - 5 to 9, 64 students and 14 teachers in the beginning. Enrollment commenced in October/November 1992 and classes began on 12th January 1993. At present, the school is an 'International Fellowship Centre' for Cambridge International Examinations and is also a centre for Collegeboard examinations, SAT I and SAT II.

CIDER International School is another well-known British Curriculum English Medium School of CIDER Trust which was established in 1997 in the port city, by a group of social workers led by Dr. Rabiul Hossain. Though started its journey some 13 years ago, the school rapidly gained popularity because of its up-to-date facilities for the students that includes better lab facilities, library among others.

This needs to be said that besides the above mentioned schools there are some more schools - both Bangla and English medium - which are playing great role in spreading the light of education in Chittagong, such as, Mirza Ahamed Isphani Smriti Biddlaya, Mastermind International, Chittagong Government Boys' High School, Nasirabad etc.