Jhikargacha B.M High School (Officially Known As Jhikargacha Badruddin Muslim High School) — is one of the very oldest and honorable secondary schools of southwestern Bangladesh. Situated on the Jessore–Benapole highway in Jhikargacha Upazila, Jessore District, Khulna Division, it has been a landmark of local education since 1888.
Founding & Name Evolution
- 1888: Founded by Haji Muhammad Badaruddin as an English school.
- 1901: Re-classified as a Minor School.
- 1937: Achieved High School status.
- 1939–1940: Affiliated to the University of Calcutta; students appeared for Matriculation (SSC) Examinations in 1940.
- 1941–1946: Military occupation and temporary relocation; return in 1946.
- 1948–1964: Riding on board: East Pakistan Board (1948), and Jessore Board (1964), introduced junior scholarships and SSC exam.
- 1962–1983: Shifted from multilateral to bilateral education and became part of community development programmes.
- 1994: New building constructed.
- 2014 & 2018: Upgraded to twelfth grade and ultimately nationalized as Jhikargacha Govt. M.L. Model High School.
Also Read: Top 10 Schools in Jessore Board
Academic Programs & Infrastructure
- Available for: Science, Business Studies, and Humanities – under Jessore Education Board.
- Land & facilities: The school is situated on nearly 436 decimals ( 1.1acres) and owns 262 decimals ( 0.65 acres) of playground. Another reference states that Model High School has an area of 692 decimals (~1.7 acres) with a playground of 135 decimals —presumably accounting for extended campus premises.
- Space: More than 12,400 square feet of classrooms and labs.
- Teachers & staff: The average age of teachers 44 – 49 years from 15-30 teachers per semester and administrative staff.
- Student body: A 56:1 student–teacher ratio is followed and no hostel facilities are provided.
Co‑Curricular & Enrichment Programs
The school promotes all-round development by the following values:
- BNCC (cadet corps) and Scouting
- Debate Club, which promotes critical thinking and public speaking
- Sports: Cricket and football are very popular.
- The school has digital class setups, science labs and a library to facilitate learning.
Location & Community Context
- The total area of Jhikargacha Upazila is 308 km² and it is home to about 331,000 inhabitants as of 2022, 53% of whom are literate.
- The school is served by easy access from the Jhikargacha Railway Station on the Jessore–Benapole branch line (built in 1884).
- Mokamtola Secondary School, the Government Shaheed Moshiur Rahman Degree College and Jhikargacha Pilot Girls’ High School are nearby educational institutions.
Why Jhikargacha B.M High School is important
- Heritage: Over 130 years of educational service, serving generations since the colonial era.
- Reasonable government education: It provides reasonably priced education in important educational sectors as it is a government institution.
- Heart of the community: Provides generous facilities — labs, library, sports fields, auditorium — to accommodate students and local events.
- Whole-person development: It is a training ground for leadership (BNCC, debate), fitness (sports), and digital literacy.
Latest & Ongoing Developments
- Nationalized in 2018, beefing up resources, staff and oversight.
- The school has digital classrooms that promote smart education.
- A senior computer teacher with over 35 years of experience tries to blend ICT training into his curriculum, but the ICT usage in the school remains minimal.
Jhikargacha B.M High School is a classic example of regional education — steeped in tradition, but very much of its time, both geographically and academically. Make no mistake, emanating strong vibes of its British past right down to today’s digital classrooms, this institution remains a bastion of learning for science, commerce and arts aspirants across Jessore.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Q: Where is the school located?
A: Jhikargacha, Jessore.
2. Q: When was it founded?
A: 1888.
3. Q: Who founded the school?
A: Haji Muhammad Badaruddin.
4. Q: When did it become a high school?
A: 1937.
5. Q: Which board is it under?
A: Jessore Board.
6. Q: What groups are offered?
A: Science, Commerce, Humanities.
7. Q: Is there a hostel?
A: No.
8. Q: What’s the student-teacher ratio?
A: 56:1.
9. Q: When was it nationalized?
A: 2018.
10. Q: What sports are popular?
A: Cricket, Football.
