RAJSHAHI, Jan 25, 2019 (BSS)- Rajshahi College School, one of the oldest schools in the subcontinent, today started celebrating its 190th founding anniversary amidst a two-day programme.
The school is the first and oldest school in the country and has a long tradition and reputation of spreading the light of education.
It has produced thousands of qualified citizens to serve the nation throughout the country. The school has been fostering its tradition for more than 190 years.
Lord William Benting from his personal effort and enthusiasm established this school in 1828 on 0.9725 acres of land and named it “Bawlia English School” to spread English language all over the country. Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, who is also a former student of the school, opened the colourful celebration through hoisting national flag and releasing balloons this morning as chief guest.
Afterwards, he led a huge rally largely attended by more than 4,000 former and current students parading main thoroughfares of the city.
Chaired by Headmaster of the school Dr Nur Jahan Begum, the inaugural session was addressed, among others, by former students Engineer Enamul Haque (1955, Prof Atful Hai Siddiqui (1958) and Nurul Haque (1960).
Quoting historical records Mayor Liton says activities of the school began on the verenda of a dochala room made of tile near Borokuthi on the bank of the river Padma. At the beginning it was a private and full free school.
At that time there was no allocation of government fund for the school. So, the school continued with the assistance and cooperation from the European officers, lawyers, businessmen, men of other professionals, the rajas and zamidars of Puthia, Dubalhati, Dighapatiya, Bolihar and others living in Rajshahi.
But the school received William Adam’s recommendation in 1835 after a visit to the school. The school was nationalized on 20 June 1836 after the recommendation had been sent to the government.
The government took up the Boalia School as Rajshahi Zilla School and appointed Sharda Parashad Bosu as the Head Master.
In that year the total students of the school were 83. Among them 78 were Hindus, 2 Muslims and 3 Christians. In 1836 the student increased to 188. The standard of education was very high.