Publish: 12:40, 15 Jan, 2025 Updated: 12:49, 15 Jan, 2025

Armanitola Govt High School spreads light for 120 years

Akteruzzaman
Armanitola Govt High School spreads light for 120 years

Old Dhaka’s Armanitola Government High School has established itself as the pioneer in the country’s secondary education. This ancient school has been spreading the light of education for 120 years. This school was established in the undivided Bengal in 1904 to spread education in Dhaka and adjacent areas which has been spreading the light of education till today. The school started at a vast campus on around 2.5 acres of land with red brick buildings constructed in the British style. With the memory of Armenians, the school has still old stairs of wood, a gallery, a library and the Debdaru trees. 

Since its establishment, Armanitola Government High School has made more than one lakh educationalists, bureaucrats, engineers, military officers, sportsmen, physicians, professionals, businessmen, politicians, artists, litterateurs, cultural personalities etc. Some alumni of this school have become renowned at home and abroad. Of them, Visva Bharati’s former vice-chancellor Amlan Dutta, world-famous structural engineer and architect Fazlur Rahman Khan, sportsman Abdus Sadeque, and renowned industrialist Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan are notable. This famous educational institution has been playing an important role in the country’s sports arena.   

The school offers education from class III to class X. Currently, more than two thousand students are studying here. This historical school is going to celebrate its 120th anniversary tomorrow (January 16). Two-day gala programmes have been organized marking the occasion.  

British Viceroy of India George Nathaniel Curzon was the dreamer of two red buildings of the school constructed with Indo-Saracenic and Victorian architecture. In 1904, he published the education policy for the development of standards at the secondary school level. In continuation of the policy, George Nathaniel Curzon inaugurated the construction works of the two red buildings on February 19 of the same year through a citizen rally at Curzon Hall premises. The construction works were completed in 1908. Dhaka Teachers Training College and its experimental school Armanitola launched its official journey on January 6, 1909. Later, the experimental school was renamed Armanitola Government High School. Since its establishment, the school has been keeping an important role in spreading secondary education. The students of Armanitola Government High School have played crucial roles in every state movement from the language movement in 1952 to the Liberation War in 1971 and the latest July mass uprising in 2024.    

The first Head Master of Armanitola Government High School was JE Whitekar. Not only in history and heritage but also the school is admirable for its quality education. This school was honoured as the best school in 1957 in the then Pakistan. After the country’s independence, the school is continuing its achievement. In 1996, Armanitola Government High School got the status of the best school at the national level.    

Among the former students of this school are several heroic freedom fighters who had special contributions to the great Liberation War. Some of them are -- Air Vice Marshal (retd) Sultan Mahmud Bir Uttam, Lt Gen (retd) Mir Shawkat Ali Bir Uttam, Major General Mohammad Abul Manzur Bir Uttam, Brigadier (retd) Mohsin Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikrom, and Major (retd) Mehedi Ali Imam Bir Bikrom.

Many successful persons in various professions including education, literature, politics, and sports are former students of this school. National professor Syed Ali Ahsan, national professor Dr Rafiqul Islam, former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) vice-chancellor Dr Muhammad Shahjahan, educationalist Dr Abdul Momin Chowdhury, former adviser to the Indian government Ashok Mitra, BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, BNP vice-chairman Barkatullah Bulu, poet Asad Chowdhury, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, popular book Masud Rana’s writer Kazi Anwar Hossain, film star Jashim and many more alumni have glorified Armanitola Government High School.

This famous educational institution has been making outstanding contributions to the country’s sports. Armanitola Government High School is called the heart of hockey in Bangladesh. Almost all the renowned hockey players of the country are alumni of Armanitola School. Many of them have won national awards.  Abdus Sadeque, Mahmudur Rahman Momin, Bashir Ahmed, Pratap Hazra, Sabbir Yusuf, Abdus Salam, Khwaja Yusuf Reza, Hossain Imam Chowdhury Shanta and Jamal Haydar are the prominent hockey players of the school.

During the Mughal period, Armenians arrived in Old Dhaka. In the 18th and 19th centuries, these Armenian businessmen established their businesses and built their residences and churches here. Armanitola is named after the Armenians.

During the communal riots in Dhaka in the 1930s and 1940s, schools were also fixed for different communities. But the Armanitola School was an exception. Students of all communities studied together in this school during the days of severe communalism.   

Armanitola was the centre point or elite area of ​​Dhaka due to the location of various Brahmin societies and Brahmin temples and some of the famous Muslim and Hindu zamindar houses of East Bengal. Not only in beauty, immensity and education but also in sports and culture, the heritage of the school still exists today.  

Greetings from the headmaster: On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the school, acting headmaster Nurun Nahar extended her greetings to everyone. She told Bangladesh Pratidin that this historic school has made many talented people since its establishment. Among them are not only nationally renowned but also world-famous persons. There are some problems in the school. Efforts are underway to resolve these problems with the help of the Education Ministry.   

bd-pratidin/GR

More News
Struggles with rising medicine expenses
Struggles with rising medicine expenses
The revenge of nature and the culture of demolishing houses!
The revenge of nature and the culture of demolishing houses!
Proposal to increase retirement age of judges to 70
Proposal to increase retirement age of judges to 70
Stock market fails to bounce back
Stock market fails to bounce back
Prothom Alo implicates Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman
Prothom Alo implicates Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman
Farewell to a nation builder: The life and legacy of Mostafa Golam Quddus
Farewell to a nation builder: The life and legacy of Mostafa Golam Quddus
Unauthorised vehicles fuel Dhaka’s transport chaos
Unauthorised vehicles fuel Dhaka’s transport chaos
Process of consensus government begins
Process of consensus government begins
Challenges mount for government
Challenges mount for government
Acute gas crisis cripples industries
Acute gas crisis cripples industries
Transcom disputes bribery allegations, but questions remain
Transcom disputes bribery allegations, but questions remain
Another opportunity being missed!
Another opportunity being missed!
Latest News
Per capita income shrank in dollar, grew in taka
Per capita income shrank in dollar, grew in taka
just now | Business
80 teams to monitor markets during Ramadan to ensure fair pricing
80 teams to monitor markets during Ramadan to ensure fair pricing
2 minutes ago | Business
Elon Musk-led group makes $97 billion bid for control of OpenAI
Elon Musk-led group makes $97 billion bid for control of OpenAI
3 minutes ago | Tech
Ex-Habiganj MP Majid Khan arrested
Ex-Habiganj MP Majid Khan arrested
11 minutes ago | National
Major refugee aid groups sue Trump administration over executive order
Major refugee aid groups sue Trump administration over executive order
15 minutes ago | International
Arab states oppose Trump's Gaza plan, Egyptian FM tells Rubio
Arab states oppose Trump's Gaza plan, Egyptian FM tells Rubio
16 minutes ago | International
Dhaka's air 'unhealthy' today
Dhaka's air 'unhealthy' today
31 minutes ago | City
Expect strict action if anti-social elements threaten anyone: PHQ
Expect strict action if anti-social elements threaten anyone: PHQ
47 minutes ago | National
Hamas to halt hostage releases, jeopardizing Gaza ceasefire
Hamas to halt hostage releases, jeopardizing Gaza ceasefire
54 minutes ago | International
Youth is not time but prospect: Home Adviser
Youth is not time but prospect: Home Adviser
10 hours ago | City
Consensus Commission dialogue with political parties begins Feb 15
Consensus Commission dialogue with political parties begins Feb 15
10 hours ago | National
Gold price hits record high of nearly Tk1.50 lakh per bhori
Gold price hits record high of nearly Tk1.50 lakh per bhori
11 hours ago | Business
BFF completes signing formalities with 36 female footballers
BFF completes signing formalities with 36 female footballers
11 hours ago | Sports
Ex-state minister Dipankar Talukder held
Ex-state minister Dipankar Talukder held
11 hours ago | National
'HIV infections could surge if US support is dropped'
'HIV infections could surge if US support is dropped'
11 hours ago | International
Iran urges UN to take ‘firm’ stance against displacement plot for Gaza
Iran urges UN to take ‘firm’ stance against displacement plot for Gaza
11 hours ago | International
Accused corrupts to be brought back from neighboring countries: ACC Chairman
Accused corrupts to be brought back from neighboring countries: ACC Chairman
12 hours ago | National
Govt assures BNP of holding polls by Dec: Fakhrul
Govt assures BNP of holding polls by Dec: Fakhrul
12 hours ago | National
343 more arrested in ‘Operation Devil Hunt’
343 more arrested in ‘Operation Devil Hunt’
12 hours ago | National
Three-day PaperTech Expo begins at ICCB
Three-day PaperTech Expo begins at ICCB
13 hours ago | Business
'Najmul was working very hard when he wasn't playing'
'Najmul was working very hard when he wasn't playing'
13 hours ago | Sports
Sharfuddoula to officiate in the opening match of Champions Trophy
Sharfuddoula to officiate in the opening match of Champions Trophy
13 hours ago | Sports
Court seeks Interpol red notice to arrest Benazir
Court seeks Interpol red notice to arrest Benazir
14 hours ago | National
A cleaner Bangladesh needs collective action: Syeda Rizwana Hasan
A cleaner Bangladesh needs collective action: Syeda Rizwana Hasan
14 hours ago | National
US to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports
US to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports
14 hours ago | International
Mostafa Quamrus Sobhan elected chairman of Rupali Insurance
Mostafa Quamrus Sobhan elected chairman of Rupali Insurance
15 hours ago | Business
Almost all nations miss UN deadline for new climate targets
Almost all nations miss UN deadline for new climate targets
15 hours ago | International
Consensus is essential considering overall situation of the country: Manna
Consensus is essential considering overall situation of the country: Manna
15 hours ago | National
Syrians returning to the ruined town of Tel Rifaat
Syrians returning to the ruined town of Tel Rifaat
15 hours ago | International
Colombia govt in crisis as president calls for cabinet resignation
Colombia govt in crisis as president calls for cabinet resignation
15 hours ago | International
Most Read
Defaulted loans threaten financial sector
Defaulted loans threaten financial sector
22 hours ago | Business
No shortage of edible oil during the upcoming Ramadan
No shortage of edible oil during the upcoming Ramadan
23 hours ago | Business
Court seeks Interpol red notice to arrest Benazir
Court seeks Interpol red notice to arrest Benazir
14 hours ago | National
Hania Aamir likely to accept Karan Johar’s Bollywood offer
Hania Aamir likely to accept Karan Johar’s Bollywood offer
18 hours ago | Entertainment
Struggles with rising medicine expenses
Struggles with rising medicine expenses
23 hours ago | Special
Finance Advisor clarifies reason behind VAT hike
Finance Advisor clarifies reason behind VAT hike
18 hours ago | Business
5 bands to perform in tribute to Shafin Ahmed
5 bands to perform in tribute to Shafin Ahmed
22 hours ago | Entertainment
BRMCA for withdrawal of SD on stone imports
BRMCA for withdrawal of SD on stone imports
21 hours ago | Business
BIMSTEC summit: A meeting between Dr Yunus and Modi in the making?
BIMSTEC summit: A meeting between Dr Yunus and Modi in the making?
23 hours ago | International
EC detects NID data leaks involving five organizations
EC detects NID data leaks involving five organizations
18 hours ago | National
Expats stage protest for full rehabilitation, financial support
Expats stage protest for full rehabilitation, financial support
18 hours ago | City
Zahid Hasan returns to limelight with ‘Vallage Na’
Zahid Hasan returns to limelight with ‘Vallage Na’
17 hours ago | Entertainment
Gulam Rabbani's ‘Untongue’ wins awards at Venice and Budapest film festivals
Gulam Rabbani's ‘Untongue’ wins awards at Venice and Budapest film festivals
22 hours ago | Entertainment
Meta begins 5% workforce reduction as part of strategic shift towards AI
Meta begins 5% workforce reduction as part of strategic shift towards AI
19 hours ago | Tech
New study reveals beetroot juice as a secret to Staying Forever Young
New study reveals beetroot juice as a secret to Staying Forever Young
21 hours ago | Lifestyle
Mexican envoy pledges jobs for Bangladeshis
Mexican envoy pledges jobs for Bangladeshis
20 hours ago | National
Epilepsy in children: Causes, triggers, first-aid, diet
Epilepsy in children: Causes, triggers, first-aid, diet
22 hours ago | Lifestyle
Reasons why protein-rich post-workout meal important
Reasons why protein-rich post-workout meal important
21 hours ago | Lifestyle
Businesses grappling with multiple challenges
Businesses grappling with multiple challenges
21 hours ago | Business
Dubai's ‘airport city’ set to create thousands of jobs as new passenger terminal nears completion
Dubai's ‘airport city’ set to create thousands of jobs as new passenger terminal nears completion
21 hours ago | Business
Bourses see mixed trend on Monday
Bourses see mixed trend on Monday
21 hours ago | Business
Siam Ahmed’s stunning new look for 'Jongli'
Siam Ahmed’s stunning new look for 'Jongli'
20 hours ago | Entertainment
Saif Ali Khan calls his attacker 'poor guy'
Saif Ali Khan calls his attacker 'poor guy'
20 hours ago | Entertainment
BNP announces eight-day programme
BNP announces eight-day programme
20 hours ago | National
Saudi bans children from 2025 hajj pilgrimage
Saudi bans children from 2025 hajj pilgrimage
22 hours ago | International
UN ASG Kirstine Damkjaer to visit Bangladesh Feb 11-12
UN ASG Kirstine Damkjaer to visit Bangladesh Feb 11-12
15 hours ago | National
Construction of 2 Mongla port jetties progressing fast
Construction of 2 Mongla port jetties progressing fast
18 hours ago | National
Marriages in China down by a fifth in 2024: government
Marriages in China down by a fifth in 2024: government
19 hours ago | Lifestyle
Trinamool BNP chairman Shamsher Mobin remanded for 4 days
Trinamool BNP chairman Shamsher Mobin remanded for 4 days
18 hours ago | National
BB to announce monetary policy statement today
BB to announce monetary policy statement today
21 hours ago | Business