Armanitola Government High School in Old Dhaka has been a beacon of light in secondary education in the country. This oldest school in the capital has been spreading its light of education for 120 years. To make this occasion memorable, to inform the current students about the history and tradition of the school and to encourage them, Armanitola Government High School has organized a two-day anniversary celebration program.
The colorful program began on Thursday (January 16) in the school premises. The anniversary celebration was on Thursday and a reunion program will be organized on Friday.
The main theme of the program is 'Staying in the bond of lifelong brotherhood'. On this occasion, the school premises were bustling with the walk of current and former teachers and students.
The 120th anniversary and 10th era completing celebrations of Armanitola Government High School were inaugurated by the students of Armanitola Government High School with the recitation of the Quran on Thursday evening.
150 former and current teachers were given honorary mementos at the event. At the same time, the prizes of the Ustad Fazlu Memorial Hockey Tournament were distributed. In addition, the event ended with the recitation of songs and poems by the teachers and students of the school and the performance of music by the rock band Ark Hasan.
Nurun Nahar, acting headmaster of Armanitola Government High School, said, "Today we have come together for a gathering. This traditional school has produced many talented people in the last 120 years. Among them are not only nationally renowned people, but also world-renowned people."
He said, "Today's event will be a source of inspiration for the current students. You are working for the development of this school. There are several problems in the school, which are being solved with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education. I would like to thank and express my gratitude to everyone for making this two-day anniversary and reunion program a success.”
Haji Abdus Salam, a 63rd batch student of the school, delivered the welcome speech. He said, “I am proud to be here today. We have learned how to build a human being from here. We have received all the love, affection and discipline from the teachers. During the Pakistani regime, there were only a handful of schools, among which Armanitola Government High School was notable one.”
Md. Siddiqur Rahman, president of the Armanitola School 120th Anniversary Celebration Committee, said, “We studied in this school as children. How many sweet memories are associated with this premise! The students of this traditional school are leaving their mark of achievement across the country and abroad. We all now want to go back to the old days of school together. Many have come here; old age has consumed them, but they are as cheerful as those children here. They are overwhelmed with emotion. Many have brought the result cards of the school of that time as piece of memories. I think this is the significance of this arrangement.”
He said we are determined to work for the development of the school's education system with the help of alumnis.
Armanitola Government High School was established in 1904 with the aim of spreading education in Dhaka and surrounding areas in the then undivided Bengal. It is still shining today. This school, which is steeped in the memories of the Armenians, was built on about two and a half acres of land in the style of British architecture of that time.
After passing the main gate and entering the vast field, the school building, built of beautiful red brick, is seen standing proudly as a witness to the times. The ancient wooden staircase, gallery, library and shady deodar trees of the traditional school still exist today.
Since its establishment, Armanitola High School has prepared lakhs of nation’s future including educationists, bureaucrats, engineers, military officers, sports personalities, doctors, professionals, businessmen, politicians, artists, writers, cultural workers, etc. Among them are not only nationally renowned people but also world-renowned ones. There are successful people like Amlan Dutta, former Vice-Chancellor of Visva-Bharati, internationally renowned architect FR Khan, renowned sportsman Abdus Sadek, and renowned industrialist Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Chairman of Bashundhara Group came out of this heritage-enriched school. This famous educational institution is also making an outstanding contribution to the world of sports.
The school teaches from class III to class X. Currently, there are more than two thousand students here.
The organizers are hopeful that this year's anniversary will be more beautiful, transparent and festive through everyone's hard work and proper work planning.
