City’s ‘oldest’ school to shift to new-age IB ….Shreya Bhandary
Change of Guard: Century-Old Institutions Switching To Central And International Boards To Keep In Step With Times
Change of Guard: Century-Old Institutions Switching To Central And International Boards To Keep In Step With Times
It’s a fact that the only thing constant in society is change. And keeping this in mind, possibly the oldest school of Mumbai has decided to change its affiliation to International Baccalaureate (IB). Robert Money Technical High School in Grant Road completed 176 years of imparting education in the city and is currently busy renovating its century-old structure. Their IB section will start from the next academic year.
“We still have close to 330 students from the SSC section who will finish their schooling the same board but, simultaneously, we will start the new IB batch in our renovated building,” said Rev Sharad Balid, administrator of the school. As of now, the Marathi medium and junior college sections have been receiving grants from the government while the rest is run by the Bombay Diocesan Society BCS). The IB school is a joint effort of BCS and Chanakya Gyan Kendra, and will be open students from 2013.
The trend of changing affiliations from state board to other central and internation-boards has been a part of the educational system for ages now. Christ Church School in Byculla has weathered the ups and downs of academia for more than a century. “Old schools are awakened by the challenges put forth by newer schools. We have an advantage because of our history but we cannot rest on our laurels,” said principal Carl Laurie. After changing their affiliation to ICSE in the 1970s, the school also introduced the CIPP program (an evaluation model) a year ago. Similarly, the school may be looking to launch the IGCSE program in the near future. Since we didn’t want to be a has-been school, we realized that we had to make certain changes that would help us adapt to this rapidly changing environment,” added Laurie.
The Cathedral and John Connon School is considered one of the city’s premier institutions for junior education. The key is to embrace the new without throwing out the old,” said principal Meera Isaacs. Cathedral has never had any trouble keeping up with changing times. In fact, the school was the first in the city to establish a Learning Resource Center. To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Cathedral released a special commemorative stamp in 2010.
Tradition has proven to be equally important to St Mary’s High School in Mazgaon to the extent that it has maintained its uniform for more than a century. “Tradition implies that there is something good in . There is a sentimental value attached to the boys’ uniforms. No one has ever tried to change this tradition,” said principal Fr Kenneth Misquitta.
The Alexandra Girls English Institution in Fort is one of the oldest girls schools in the city and is ready to celebrate 150 years of existence. The school is preparing for an enormous celebration, which includes the release of a special postal cover, an interschool fest, ex-students’ reunion and a grand show in April where the school souvenir will be released. However, it has no intention of changing affiliation any time soon. “The state board syllabus has evolved over the years and is at par with other boards, so we will continue our loyalty to the board. We’d rather focus on co-curricular activities to encourage children in all aspects of life,” said principal Freny Mehta. The school will start its 150 years celebration from September 1.
BEACONS OF THE CITY’S EDUCATIONAL HERITAGE
Some of the oldest schools in the city, which have been around for more than a century
Robert Money Technical High School, Grant Road
Established: 1836 Affiliation: SSC (IB from 2013)
Located close to Jinnah Hall and behind Congress House on Lamington Road, this school hosted eminent freedom fighters. In 1947, the last viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, laid the foundation stone of the first technical school in its premises
Located close to Jinnah Hall and behind Congress House on Lamington Road, this school hosted eminent freedom fighters. In 1947, the last viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, laid the foundation stone of the first technical school in its premises
Cathedral & John Connon School, Fort
Established: 1860
Affiliation: ICSE
Bishop Harding and Cathedral Chaplain opened a Grammar School, which together with a school for girls, was the first of many strands eventually joined together to form the Cathedral School as we know it today
Bishop Harding and Cathedral Chaplain opened a Grammar School, which together with a school for girls, was the first of many strands eventually joined together to form the Cathedral School as we know it today
Raja Shivaji Vidyalaya, Dadar
Established: 1912
Affiliation: SSC
It recently celebrated its centenary and boasts famous alumni such as cricketers Dilip Vengsarkar and Madhav Mantri
It recently celebrated its centenary and boasts famous alumni such as cricketers Dilip Vengsarkar and Madhav Mantri
Christ Church School, Byculla
Established: 1850
Affiliation: ICSE
At the time of its establishment, Christ Church School and the boarding school functioned from Byculla. The boarding part was taken away from Bombay to the cooler and healthier Deccan Plateau
At the time of its establishment, Christ Church School and the boarding school functioned from Byculla. The boarding part was taken away from Bombay to the cooler and healthier Deccan Plateau
Bai Avabai Petit High School, Bandra
Established: 1913
Affiliation: ICSE
Established to educate poor Parsi girls, it opened its arms to girls from all communities in 1963. This is one of the few schools where home science or needlecraft is still encouraged
St Aloysius High School, Bandra
Established: 1910
Affiliation: SSC
Started in 1910 by Father Jose da Gama, the parish priest of Mount Carmel Church, as a pre-primary school in a simple structure, it evolved into a full-fledged school in 1951
Started in 1910 by Father Jose da Gama, the parish priest of Mount Carmel Church, as a pre-primary school in a simple structure, it evolved into a full-fledged school in 1951
Alexandra Girls English Institution, Fort
Established: 1863
Affiliation: SSC
Established at a time when education was a luxury, the purpose was to educate local girls in English. It started at a small home in Byculla with only 13 students
Established at a time when education was a luxury, the purpose was to educate local girls in English. It started at a small home in Byculla with only 13 students
St Mary’s High School, Mazgaon
Established: 1864
Affiliation: SSC/ICSE
Tradition has proven to be very important to the school. So much so that in more than a century, the school has maintained its uniform
St Agnes School, Byculla
Established: 1912
Affiliation: SSC
Started by missionaries of the Convent Jesus and Mary in 1912, this school housed two schools. In early 1970s, both were merged into a government-aided school. In 1992, it opened its doors to special students
Bharda New High School, Fort
Established: 1891
Affiliation: SSC
Known as the nursery for cricket at one point of time, the school taught several politicians and cricketers, including Vijay Merchant. The school celebrated its centenary achievement for over a year in 1993
Known as the nursery for cricket at one point of time, the school taught several politicians and cricketers, including Vijay Merchant. The school celebrated its centenary achievement for over a year in 1993
St Xavier’s High School, V Parle
Established: 1891
Affiliation: SSC
The school is one of the oldest in the suburbs and only earlier this year did its former students launch the alumni association
The school is one of the oldest in the suburbs and only earlier this year did its former students launch the alumni association
J B Petit High School for Girls
Established: 1860
Affiliation: ICSE
Established in 1860 by an Englishwoman, the school was originally known as Miss Prescott’s Fort Christian School. In 1915, Jehangir Bomanji Petit, scion of a prominent family of philanthropists, took over its functioning to ensure that it retained its cosmopolitan character
Established in 1860 by an Englishwoman, the school was originally known as Miss Prescott’s Fort Christian School. In 1915, Jehangir Bomanji Petit, scion of a prominent family of philanthropists, took over its functioning to ensure that it retained its cosmopolitan character
Bombay Scottish School, Mahim
Established: 1847
Affiliation: ICSE
In 1847, a group of Scottish missionaries decided to give orphaned children of Scottish Presbyterian soldiers an education that would enable them a rightful place in society. The name ‘Bombay Scottish’ was
In 1847, a group of Scottish missionaries decided to give orphaned children of Scottish Presbyterian soldiers an education that would enable them a rightful place in society. The name ‘Bombay Scottish’ was
christened to this institute in 1976.
St Stanislaus High School, Bandra
Established: 1863
Affiliation: SSC
St Stanislaus High School was founded as an orphanage and has risen to become one of the leading educational institutions in Mumbai
St Stanislaus High School was founded as an orphanage and has risen to become one of the leading educational institutions in Mumbai