Victoria School Centenary

The Head Master, Mr. J. Das Gupta’s

Speech on May 6, 1979

Hon'ble Speaker Shri Mansur Habibullah, Dr. N. R. Kar, distinguished guests, parents and past and present students.

Before proceeding with my brief report, it is my proud and happy duty, privilege and honour to extend to you all, on behalf of the Staff and Students of this school, our warmest welcome to this joint inaugural function of our Centenary Celebration.

These two sister schools were started between 3rd and 17th August 1879 as a single co-educational school with Mr. Pegler as Headmaster at the house "Constantia". Sir Ashley Eden the then Lt. Governor of Bengal, had conceived the idea of establishing the school for the children of those in the lower ranks of Government service. Since then, the educational facilities here have been extended to others.

Sometime in October 1880, the school was shifted to Dow-Hill at the present site of Dow Hill School The mixed system of education was discontinued in 1887 and the school closed to girls. In 1 898 the Boys' School was shifted to new premises at the present site, and, to honour the Golden Jubilee of the reign of Queen Victoria, renamed Victoria School. Incidentally, in the same year, the girls' school was restored in the old buildings as Dow-Hill School.

All these years, the school used to prepare students for the Middle School Examination of the European Code. In 1 901, a Training College for teachers was opened with Mr. R Delaney as principal. In 1 904 technical Classes were opened, the two year course in General Engineering and Mining being recognized by the Sibpore Engineering College. In 1912, the Junior Cambridge Examination was taken for the first time and the Record of 1 911 proudly observes, Victoria School is now a secondary school". In 1 918 the school sent up its first batch for the Senior Cambridge Examination. In the same year, the Technical Department was closed. 1932 marks the first batch of candidates for the Intermediate Arts Examination of the Calcutta University and the closure of the Victoria Training College. After that date, the Training College was shifted to Dow-Hill School.

Since then the school has made a steady progress. At present it prepares students for the I.C.S.E. (Class X) and I.S.C. (Class XI) Examinations of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi. It caters to all categories Of Students from not only West Bengal, but also from Bihar, Assam, Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal.

In this century of life it has produced many distinguished students who have excelled in different spheres and continue to excel.

The progressive tradition and foresight prevailing in the school was already obvious in 1939, the Diamond Jubilee Year. To quote the Record of that year--

“We are on the threshold of a new era in India. What part are we to play in the history of our times? The answer lies in our past history. These schools were founded for the children of those in the lower ranks of Government service. Since then opportunities have been extended to others as well and now finally to the children of our Indian fellow subjects. We are not a Church School; with one other institution for Anglo-Indian education in Bengal we share the distinction of being a non-sectarian school. Yet we acknowledge the restraint of reverence".

We have come a long way since then. Though the medium of instruction is English, we strive to make our students proud Indians, imparting Indian culture through the Curriculum, making them fully integrated citizens in the main stream of Indian life.

At Victoria the leading principle, to quote the old Record, is "a good day's work to be done every day, plenty of outdoor games, discipline firm but gentle with plenty of good, wholesome food".

On this happy occasion I wish to recall with profound and sincere gratitude the pioneers, the well wishers, the staff and students throughout the century who have been responsible for building up a Victoria Tradition and hope that it will always be a source of inspiration. Forty years after our Diamond Jubilee, we can reiterate "Having this heritage, we face the future with confidence".

Finally, I thank you once more, Ladies and Gentlemen, for your presence here this morning.