Girls Middle School ( known as Putri Patshalla), was near Ganj Mandi, Sahnia da mohalla, before 1947 . In early 1950s , it was upgraded to Government Girls High School. Around late 1980s , the Girls High School was shifted to the new building of old Arya High School . In the vacated building Middle School for Boys was shifted from Arya School . It was named as Government Elementary School ( Grade I to VIII) . It has lately been upgraded and named, ” City Government High School, Bhera “.
Notes :
- Kirpa Ram Anglo – Sanskrit High School was an unaided High School , established at the start of 20th century ( known as Arya School ) . It was founded by Kirpa Ram Sahin’s family ( Reference : The Imperial Gazetteer of India , Vol III – 1908 Edition) . After the partition the junior classes of Govrnment High School were held in Arya School ( Junior Branch of High School) . After some time the junior classes were sent back to Government High School, due to decrease in the strength of the High School . The building of Arya School reminded vacant for sometime. Later, Education Department demolished the beautiful old building of Arya School , except the gymnasium, constructed a new building. A Middle School for Boys was established in the new building . In the late 80s, Government Girls High School was shifted from mohalla Sahniawala to the new building of Arya School. Because of the spacious space of the school, it was upgraded to Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Bhera .
- Before the Government Girls High School was established in Bhera , the desirous girls from Bhera and surrounding areas took admission in Class IX & X in Arya High School or Government High School for Boys , Bhera.
- Iven Anwar, a friend of mine because of Bhera connection, lived in Rawalpindi . Once he told me that of his aunt ( Phophi), Miss Katharine was a teacher in Girls School in mohalla Sahnianwala , later she became its principal. Iven Anwar’s father, Alexander Hussain Bux was in railways in Bhera. Their house was adjacent to old Bhera Police Station (1870), towards the north. In 70s , Alexander Hussain Bux was posted to Lahore . He retired from there , and settled in Gulberg, Lahore . His sister , Mrs Katharine Zafar , also left the school in Bhera and went to Lahore with him. Just for information, Iven was elder bother of film actress Neelo ( Mrs Abida Riaz , mother of renowned film actor Shaan Shahid ) . Neelo was born as Cynthia Alexander Fernandus on 30 June 1940 , in Bhera ( for details see Wikipedia). For information about the Christian family of Bhera, along with pictures see my write-up. If interested to read it can be shared.
Zahid Mumtaz
