ASJA Boys' College
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| ASJA Boys College | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| San Fernando, TTO | |
| Information | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Oversight | Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association |
| Principal | Mr. Alim Ali[1] |
| Staff | 30+[1] |
| Enrollment |
600+[1] |
| Motto | Strive to Excel[1] |
| Homepage | http://asjaboyscollege.com/ |
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.
[edit] Early History
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.
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 14th 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 Levels 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. As of 2006 the school has a student population of over 650 students and a teaching staff of just over 30 teachers.
