HISTORY
OUR FOUNDER : JYOTIR BIKASH MITRA
Born on 30th September, 1901 in Hatua in Bihar, JYOTIR BIKASH MITRA spent most of his life in Calcutta. He matriculated from the Metropolitan Institution, graduated with English as honours from Scottish Church College and in 1924 completed his MA in English from the University of Calcutta.
He began his career as an Assistant teacher in 1927 in the Saraswati Institution (Later renamed as Sailendra Sircar Vidyalaya). He became the headmaster of the school in 1930 and remained in the post till 1966. After his retirement he remained as the honorary rector of the school till 1979.
It was during his tenure as the headmaster that shaped his dream and established Giribala Sircar Balika Vidyalaya in 1949. He functioned as the secretary of the managing committee of Giribal Bala Sircar for many years. It was under his initiative that in 1985 both Saliendra Sircar Vidyalaya and Giribala Sircar Balika Vidyalaya became government sponsored schools from 1979.In 1960, the Government of India conferred him with the ‘National Teachers’ Award (he was among the first recipient ). In the long span of his career, he was the member of the ‘National Teachers’ Awards selection committee from West Bengal.
JYOTIR BIKASH MITRA is now a legend. He nurtured and guarded his students against all odds. Way back in those days, light and nutritious refreshment was served to all students – both boys and girls – everyday. A concept that is now being implemented by the Sarva Shikha Mission.
This legendary and outstanding teacher, educationist, administrator and visionary breathed his last on 15th August, 1995.
GIRIBALA SIRCAR
‘History’ has not provided us with much information about Giribala Sircar . Our knowledge accounts about Her belonging to the Family of Peary Churn Sircar the eminent educationist, and as heard she was the sister in law of Sailendra Nath Sircar. She resided at 34/1/1 Bedoun Street with her family.
It is heard that she helped Jyotir Bikash Mitra financially in setting up the Girl’s School & the school is named after her as a tribute.
Year of Birth – 1278 (A.T. Bengali Calendar ).
Date of Death – 6th November 1930 (20 Kartik 1337 A.T. Bengali Calendar) at Agra.
The vision of the great educationist, the recipient of the first 'National Teachers' award late Jyotir Bikash Mitra materialised on 16th april, 1949-Giribala Sircar Balika Vidyalaya was born.
Carrying forward the legacy of the 19th Century educationists specially the pioneers of women education , he wanted the girls of the neighborhood to be under the vast canopy of education.
The school began in the premises of Sailendra Sircar Vidyalaya at 62A Shyampukur Street and continued to function from that premises as the morning section till 1993.The need was felt that to function independently the school needed its own building and premises.Thus, a new building was build at 1 / 1B Telipara Lane.Here the school began its Higher Secondary section. Finally , the school shifted to its new address at 70 B & C Shyampukur Street in August, 2006.
By this time the school which was under the Sailendra Sircar Trust (along with Sailendra Sircar Vidyalaya) became a government sponsored school.
The shifting of the premises was not merely physical. It stands for the need to stand and face the world independently, to establish one's own identity, a need that is still synonymous with every child-specially a girl.
