Till yesterday, this building in Rajkot was popular as it was a place where Mahatma Gandhi studied. But not anymore. Now, it will be converted into a museum showcasing life and times of Gandhiji along with other prominent personalities of the country like Sardar Patel.
The Alfred High School in Rajkot, renamed Mohandas Gandhi High School after India’s independence in 1947, has been shut down. The move follows a proposal sent by Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) last year to the Gujarat government to convert the school into a museum. The proposal was accepted by the government, thus sealing the fate of the institute which had been there from 164 years. The school authorities are reported to have started issuing school leaving certificates to its students. The government has also asked the education department to start the process of handing over the school building to the RMC.
The school authorities are reported to have started issuing school leaving certificates to its students. The government has also asked the education department to start the process of handing over the building to the RMC
“We have hired a consultant to carry out the work of converting this building into a museum at a cost of Rs 10 crore. This museum would showcase life and times of Gandhiji, Sardar Patel and many other prominent personalities,” said Rajkot Municipal Commissioner BN Pani in a report published in Hindustan Times.
18-year-old Mahatma Gandhi completed his schooling from Alfred High School in 1887. Originally founded in October 1853 as Rajkot High School during the British rule, it is said to have been the first English medium school in Saurashtra region. The present building, however, was built by the Nawab of Junaghud in 1875 and the school was renamed Alfred High School after Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Of late, the school had failed to live up to its reputation. Only 125 students were enrolled here. Also, a few years back, out of 60 SSC students, not a single student was able to clear the Class 10 board exam.
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