Sri Pratap Higher Secondary School

Sri Pratap Higher Secondary is a boys school located at M.A. Road, Srinagar. It is the oldest school in Srinagar locally known as SP school. It was established in 1874 by the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Maharaja Pratap Singh. The School has produced a line of distinguished alumni.^[1][2][3][4]

History

Sri Pratap Higher Secondary School has a long and prestigious history of 141 years at its back. The school was established long back in 1874 AD. Ranbir Singh was the first Dogra ruler who took personal interest in the advancement of education in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. In 1874, two schools were opened in the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar. The schools were named as Ranbir High School Jammu and Srinagar Middle School. The Srinagar Middle School was having only a few primary subjects of Sanskrit and Persian, however not as a regular system. The subjects were taught in the same way as in Maktabs and Chat halls. There was a separate department of teaching Arabic to Muslim students. In 1883 there were 450 boys on its roll. It was with the advent of the reign of Sri Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir in 1885 AD that the modern education in the State took shape and the expansion of education steadily continued in his time. Dr. A.K. Mitra (Superintendent of Schools) known as the father of education in Kashmir, zealously worked for the upliftment of Kashmiris and raised the status of Srinagar Schools to a full-fledged Anglo Vernacular School, introducing English and Imparting instructions according to Panjab University Curriculum. In 1891, the school was raised the status of Srinagar High School and was latter on called Sri Pratap High School.

The Commerce and Arts Bloc of School.

In early years of 20th century, paradigm shift was seen in the education sector when the need was felt to recognise the state schools with introduction of science subjects. In 1912 AD S.P. School was thoroughly reorganised and a post graduate was appointed as its Head Master with two trained graduates as teaching assistants. In 1913-1914 AD provision of teaching science and drawing subjects was introduced in the school. Later in the year 1921 AD, Physical Education was introduced with accompaniment of music. In 1949-50 AD Mr. M.M. Kazim, the then Director School Education called a conference on social education and discussed the reorganisation of Schools in Jammu & Kashmir state. On the recommendation of the conference, S.P. High School was elevated to S.P. Higher Secondary School as was affiliated to J&K University. At the same time crafts like wood carving, paper mache, embroidery, spinning and weaving were introduced in the school. In the year 2015, the school was raised to the status of "Model School" by the State Government. Hon'ble Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed inaugurated the school as Model School on 14 September 2015.^[5] It is evident that S.P.(Model) Higher Secondary School has a legacy of more than 140 years and has immensely contributed to the educational development of the state in general and Srinagar in particular.

Location

The school is situated in the centre of Srinagar city, (Summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir).

Admission

Admission to 9th and 11th classes is governed by the procedure laid down from time to time and is subject to the availability of seats in the institution. The admission process begins on the 15th day after declaration of 8th and 10th respectively. Admission forms will be given to eligible candidates only who will have to deposit the prescribed fee in the designated branch of Jammu & Kashmir Bank. The school fee is non-refundable to be utilised purely for providing various infrastructural facilities to the students.

Streams offered

• Science
• Commerce
• Humanities
• Non Medical

Houses

• Iqbal House
• Mehjoor House
• Shah-I-Hamdan House
• Sheikh Ul Alam House

Laboratory

The school has fully equipped laboratory facility, separately for Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology and Biochemistry.

Smart Class

The school has established two smart class rooms with internet connectivity where in students of all the classes and all streams get chance to learn once in a week according to a prescribed time schedule.

References