Sir J.J. Fort Boys’ High School

The noble Institution which bears Sir Jamsetjee’s name is the most noteworthy example of his wise and practical liberality for the benefit of his fellow citizens.Sir Jamsetjee offered Rs 3,00,000 together with fifteen shares of the Bank of Bengal, plus five shares of the same bank from Lady Jamsetjee. The Parsi Panchayat offered thirty-five shares of the same bank. The market value of each share was RS 7,000/- the amount which Sir Jamsetjee offered for the Trust came to Rs. 4,44,000/- Five years ceaseless correspondence between Sir Jamsetjee and the Government terminated in the final acceptance of the revised Deed of Settlement and Rules by both the parties. The Deed was signed on January 9, 1849, and in the Government Gazette of Thursday, March 1, 1849, the following notification appeared: The Right Honorable the Governor–in-Council is pleased to notify that an institution, designated ‘Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Parsee Benevolent Institution, has been established at this presidency under the sanction of the Government, and that the undermentioned gentlemen have been appointed a Panchayat, or Committee, for the management.In 1859, when Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, First Baronet, died there were nineteen schools run by the institution. Five of them being in Bombay (two for boys and three for girls), and fourteen in different towns of Gujarat (eleven for boys and three for girls). There is no exaggeration in saying that Sir Jamsetjee was one of the pioneers of female education. We salute him as the Father of Education. At present, there are seven schools managed by the Institution, four of them being in Bombay, one in Surat and two in Navsari. The total number of pupils in Bombay school is 1477. The total number of students in the mofussil schools are 2330. Thus, at present, the seven schools run by the Institution impart education to 3807 boys and girls. All the schools are ably run by highly qualified and experienced teachers. The Sir J.J. Fort Boys’ High Schoo has the good fortune to have the services of an able educationist Mrs. Joan D’Mello as its Principal. The Sir J.J. Fort Girls’ High School is no less fortunate to have Miss Firdous Abbas as its Principal. In 2021, this Noble Institution successfully completed its 172 years of glorious existence. It has been instrumental in training thousands of young boys and girls, many of whom have distinguished themselves in this world. India owes a debt of gratitude to the Founder of this Institution.