A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BVS PARSI HIGH SCHOOL
An ancient proverb says “A gift of wealth is a great gift, but the gift of knowledge is the most priceless treasure.”
The Parsis of Karachi are eternally indebted to Seth Shapurji Hormusji Soparivala and his family for sowing the seed of Bai Virbaiji Soparivala Parsi High School in 1859. It was a small Parsi Balakshala housed in the residence of one Mr. Dadabhoy Palonji Paymaster.
As the School going community increased, it outgrew the building. In the year 1869 Seth Shapurji lost his beloved wife, Bai Virbaiji. In May 1870 Seth Shapurji, who had been so far the greatest benefactor of the school, donated a sum of Rs. 10,000/- on the condition that the school be named the Parsi Virbaiji School. The opening ceremony was performed on 24th September 1870 by the then Commissioner of Sindh, Sir William Mereweather. Mr. Jamshedji Framji Master was the Headmaster at that time.
The Balakshala which began in 1870 remained a Vernacular School for Parsi children, teaching Gujrati, Arithmetic, Writing, History, Geography and some needlework upto 1875.
In 1875 the school reached the status of an “Anglo-Vernacular Institute” (Until 1875 all the teaching was done through the medium of Gujrati). In 1875-76 the school was officially ranked as a 2nd grade ‘Anglo-Vernacular School”
On 10th October 1904, the eldest son of the Founder, Seth Khurshedji Soparivala, laid the foundation stone of the present school building on Victoria Road. This was completed on 24th March 1905 and the opening ceremony was performed by Seth Khurshedji himself.
During 1920-1946 the second storey of the building was completed.
By this time numerous other donors helped build the newer section of the school. Golwalla Dining Hall (1932), the Limbuvala Classrooms and Drawing Hall (1935-37) and the Dadabhoy Mama Workshop Building (1946) werebuilt. The Nullah Land was purchased in (1941) due to the efforts of M.R.K Sidhwa. Dr H.B. Pithwala who took over from Mr. R.J. Dastur proved to be a dynamic and foresighted Principal.
The desire of Parsis to improve their English was evident even in those days. In 1908, the Headmaster sought permission of the Managing Committee of the school to use the school premises, before and after school hours to teach English by Direct Method to Parsi children.
In 1909 the school observed its Golden Jublee and an appeal was sent to N.H.Wadia Funds in Bombay to present a sum of Rs. 3,000/- to the school to upgrade it to a High school level.
In 1919 the Cowasjee and Virbaiji Variawa family set up a trust fund to feed and cloth the poor Parsi students and to date the “Bhojan Fund” does just that.
The period from 1920-1946 was momentous. The School now raised to the status of High School from Middle School, saw the extension of the school building, the birth of the Pioneer Technical High School of Sindh and was renamed BAI VIRBAIJI SOPARIVALA PARSI HIGH SCHOOL on July 25th 1922 all under the Principal Dr. Pithwalla. From 1923 to 1946 the BVS sent out 292 matriculates. During this time Dr. Pithwalla gave the school it’s motto “TOWARDS THAT BEST LIGHT”.
Again through the generousity of the Fakirjee Cowasjee Family in 1940 the school secured the spacious playing field on Sangster Road.
In 1947 at the request of the founder of the nation to the community and the Principal Mr. Behram Rustomji the school opened it’s doors for the very first time to non-Parsis.
On 23rd May 1958, the school celebrated its Centenary under Mr. Behram Rustomji. Mr. Behram Ardeshir Minwalla took over as the Principal in 1965.
From 1967 to 1972 Mr. Rustom V. Divesha was the Principal. Mrs. Deena Mistri took the charge as the Principal of the School and retired in 2004. From January 2005 to May 2005 Mrs. J. Nadirshah was the Principal. Mrs. Kermin Parakh then took the School’s charge and is serving the school as the Principal.
For co-curricular activities the school has a cricket team, hockey team, swimming team, tug of war, badminton, table tennis team, a volley ball team, basketball futsal and football team. The school arranges the inter-house tournaments with the students representing the four houses.
Soparivala (Light Blue)
Lancelot (Red)
Quaid-e-Azam (Dark Blue)
Rezashah (Green)
The BVS School has introduced the AKUEB (matric) and CAIE (Cambridge) Board in 2010. In 2012 students appeared for their first examination in both the boards. The students have achieved many milestones throughout these years by securing positions and distinctions in the respective subjects.
The school has a very active Scouts Organization. Students can join in the BVS Scouts team from Grade III onwards. The motto of scouting is BE PREPARED.
Scouting prepares students to face dangers, to survive in the most difficult situations, to be responsible citizens, inculcate spirit of brotherhood, loyalty and makes you a responsible creation of God. Scouting activities include camping, tours mela, hiking etc.
The BVS school band plays an important role in the essence of the School. The school band practices every morning under the capable guidance of our Band Instructor and students get a chance to learn and play various musical instruments like percussion instruments such as drums, symbols, triangles tambourines etc. and wind instruments such as trombones, clarinets, trumpets, flutes, sexaphones, ephonium etc.
BVS has two fully stocked libraries, one each for the Primary and the Secondary School. Each library has over 10,000 books, periodicals, magazines etc. Both libraries also have a Teachers’ Resource Room too.
BVS has three computer labs for Primary, Secondary and Cambridge Sections. Each lab has 41 computers for students to enhance their computer skills.
The School’s Health Care Services provides comprehensive health facility to the students and staff of BVS at a well maintained clinic on the premises of the school.
Music is an integral part of a student’s growth. We therefore encourage our students to enjoy music lessons, offered to them once a week in Grades 1/2/3 only.
The school has a canteen where hygiene homemade snacks are available at reasonable rate for students.
Art is part of school curriculum and the school takes pride in the Art Room. Different techniques are introduced and taught from grade I till grade VIII. The Art Club was initiated in 2014, by Mrs Kermin Parakh with the objective to provide opportunities to students and enhance their talents.
Besides academics BVS also offers a co-curricular subject, Personal & Social Education (PSE). It aims at a balanced personal, social and moral education programme where students are given the opportunity to explore and communicate their values and beliefs on wide range of topics.
The Robotic Club focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, takes a holistic approach towards life-long learning and development. Teaching robotics to students throughout their schooling can increase their ability to be creative and innovative thinkers and more productive members of society.
The Scrabble and the Chess Club in BVS started in 2007. Over these twelve years, the Virbaijeeites have brought laurels to the School and the Country both nationally and internationally winning 12 World Championship titles and numerous appreciations globally.
The School encourages creative talent in journalism through the publication of the School Magazine “The Virbaijeeite”. It is published every year to encourage the efforts of the students.
With the motto “TOWARDS THAT BEST LIGHT” Virbaijeeites surge forward in all walks of life and will do so for decades to come.