ASJA Boys' College
Encyclopedia
ASJA Boys' College is a Muslim
secondary school
in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
. It is the oldest Muslim secondary school in Trinidad and Tobago, having been established in 1960 at the Jinnah Memorial hall at the back of the Jama Masjid
on Mucurapo Street in San Fernando.
The Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association
(ASJA) is one of the main Islamic organizations in Trinidad and Tobago. ASJA was incorporated in 1935. One of the main objectives of the organization was the promotion of education and the building of institutions of learning. ASJA primary (elementary) schools were opened as early as 1953. However it was not until 1960 that its first secondary school, an all-boys college, was opened.it is also one of the best schools in south.
ASJA Boys' College was initially a private, fee-charging institution. The school enrollment in 1960 was 104 students. The first principal was Mr. Charles Debysingh and the Vice Principal was Mr. Faiz Hydal. The college offered the traditional "grammar school
" curriculum together with Religious (Islamic) Knowledge.
The parent body, ASJA, subsequently acquired a parcel of land from the Ste. Madeleine Sugar Company on Park Street in San Fernando. At this site, No. 19-21 Park Street, the ASJA erected a modest three story building. On 14 May 1962, just 3 months before Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence, ASJA Boys College took up permanent residence at the site.
The school enrollment had by now increased to over 300 students with a staff of 8 teachers. It was still a private secondary school. After years of negotiation with the government, the ASJA finally obtained government assistance to run the college. Thus it was in September 1966 that ASJA Boys' College became a government assisted denominational school. As the school population was still increasing, a temporary annex was constructed in 1967.
-
- For almost 30 years ASJA Boys' College prepared its students for the Cambridge Ordinary Level
s and subsequently the CXC
CSEC examinations. Successful students who wished to pursue further studies i.e. Advanced Level subjects, were placed at a considerable disadvantage. These students had to search for a place at other nearby colleges since ASJA Boys' College did not offer Advanced Level studies. After years of lobbying, the ASJA got approval from the government to offer Advanced Level subjects. In September 1989, "A Level" classes began at ASJA Boys' College. The first A Level class was a joint class comprising students from the Boys' College and ASJA Girls' College. There were no more than 12 students in this class. In 1993 the two colleges decided to go their separate ways as regards the A Level class. This was made possible by the addition of a 3 storey wing at the ASJA Boys' College that same year. In 1996 Co-ed A Level classes resumed at the school which included students of St. Josephs Convent, San Fernando and Asja Girls' College.
-
- To date ASJA Boys' College has excelled and continues to excel in several spheres. Students of the college have won several national scholarships over the past decade. Students have taken part in educational, scholastic, cultural, religious and sporting activities with varying degrees of success. the school has a student population of over 650 students and a teaching staff of just over 30 teachers.
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
The City of San Fernando with a population of 55,419 according to the 2000 census, is the larger of Trinidad and Tobago's two cities and the second largest municipality after Chaguanas. It occupies 18 km² and is located in the southwestern part of the island of Trinidad...
. It is the oldest Muslim secondary school in Trinidad and Tobago, having been established in 1960 at the Jinnah Memorial hall at the back of the Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid also Jami Masjid, refers to the Friday Mosque, where Jummah or weekly Friday noon congregation prayers of Muslims take place...
on Mucurapo Street in San Fernando.
Early history
The Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association
Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association
The Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association was founded in 1936. It is the largest and most influential Muslim organisation of Trinidad and Tobago. Its president is Imam Yacoob Ali. As of 1987, it operated seven schools in Trinidad and Tobago....
(ASJA) is one of the main Islamic organizations in Trinidad and Tobago. ASJA was incorporated in 1935. One of the main objectives of the organization was the promotion of education and the building of institutions of learning. ASJA primary (elementary) schools were opened as early as 1953. However it was not until 1960 that its first secondary school, an all-boys college, was opened.it is also one of the best schools in south.
ASJA Boys' College was initially a private, fee-charging institution. The school enrollment in 1960 was 104 students. The first principal was Mr. Charles Debysingh and the Vice Principal was Mr. Faiz Hydal. The college offered the traditional "grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
" curriculum together with Religious (Islamic) Knowledge.
The parent body, ASJA, subsequently acquired a parcel of land from the Ste. Madeleine Sugar Company on Park Street in San Fernando. At this site, No. 19-21 Park Street, the ASJA erected a modest three story building. On 14 May 1962, just 3 months before Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence, ASJA Boys College took up permanent residence at the site.
The school enrollment had by now increased to over 300 students with a staff of 8 teachers. It was still a private secondary school. After years of negotiation with the government, the ASJA finally obtained government assistance to run the college. Thus it was in September 1966 that ASJA Boys' College became a government assisted denominational school. As the school population was still increasing, a temporary annex was constructed in 1967.
-
- For almost 30 years ASJA Boys' College prepared its students for the Cambridge Ordinary Level
Ordinary Level
The O-level is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education . It was introduced as part of British educational reform in the 1950s alongside the more in-depth and academically rigorous Advanced Level in England, Wales and Northern Ireland A-level...
s and subsequently the CXC
Caribbean Examinations Council
The Caribbean Examinations Council or CXC was established in 1972 under Agreement by the Participating Governments in the Area to conduct such examinations as it may think appropriate and award certificates and diplomas on the results of any such examinations so conducted...
CSEC examinations. Successful students who wished to pursue further studies i.e. Advanced Level subjects, were placed at a considerable disadvantage. These students had to search for a place at other nearby colleges since ASJA Boys' College did not offer Advanced Level studies. After years of lobbying, the ASJA got approval from the government to offer Advanced Level subjects. In September 1989, "A Level" classes began at ASJA Boys' College. The first A Level class was a joint class comprising students from the Boys' College and ASJA Girls' College. There were no more than 12 students in this class. In 1993 the two colleges decided to go their separate ways as regards the A Level class. This was made possible by the addition of a 3 storey wing at the ASJA Boys' College that same year. In 1996 Co-ed A Level classes resumed at the school which included students of St. Josephs Convent, San Fernando and Asja Girls' College.
-
- To date ASJA Boys' College has excelled and continues to excel in several spheres. Students of the college have won several national scholarships over the past decade. Students have taken part in educational, scholastic, cultural, religious and sporting activities with varying degrees of success. the school has a student population of over 650 students and a teaching staff of just over 30 teachers.