According to the District Shahpur Gazetteer ( 1905), in the whole of district Shahpur, there were only two high schools, both in Bhera.
1 . Government High School, Bhera. The municipality of Bhera was created in 1867. Municipal Committee Primary School No 2, up to Class 1V, was founded in 1876, it was known as Chirri Chong Primary School, mohallah Sheikhanwala. Anglo Vernacular High School, Bhera was founded ( Circa: 1882). The exact year is confirmed, probably in the beginning, it was till the Middle. It was maintained by the Education Department and Municipal Committee of the town. Its building was between the old Bhera Police Station (1870) and the civil dispensary, Kachery Bazaar. Government High School went through several phases after its establishment. In 1905, it was named Government High School, in 1918, it became District Board High School, and in 1923, King George’s High School. In 1927, it was shifted to the new building near the railway station and was again named Government High School, Bhera. The old building of the school became the boys’ hostel.
2. Kirpa Ram Anglo – Sanskrit High School. The other high school in Bhera was an unaided Anglo-Sanskrit High School. Established at the start of the 20th century ( known as the Arya School ). Kirpa Ram Sahni’s family founded it. ( The Imperial Gazetteer of India, Vol III – 1908 Edition) . Arya School was located on the road from the Telephone & Telegraph office to the railway station on the left side. In front of it was Jhaleewala _bagh_ and Mughal era bricked pond with steps, known as Kapoor _talab_. In 1939, Baboo Ralla Ram Chopra donated a Maya Devi Gymnasium, in the name of his wife, to Arya High School. The foundation stone was laid by Sheikh Zahur ud Din, Inspectors of Schools, Rawalpindi Division on 2.7.1939. On it is written :
THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUNG
IS THE STRENGTH OF THE NATION
Now, the old building and whole area of Arya High School is with Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Bhera ( new blocks have been added to the school ).
Prime Minister Sir Malik Firoz Khan Noon ( 7 May 1893 – 6 December 1970 ), and his younger brother Colonel Malik Muhammad Ali Noon, along with their many cousins studied at Bhera High School. Malik Firoz Khan Noon studied at GHS Bhera from 1902 to 1905. In 1905, he joined Aitchison College and remained there till 1912. In 1912 went to England for higher studies. ( Reference: Autobiography of Sir Firoz Khan Noon, ” FROM MEMORY” ) .
I have written a bibliographic sketch of his younger brother, Colonel Muhammad Ali Noon, Armoured Corps, those interested may get it from me, available in Whatsapp format. Many notables studied at GHS Bhera, difficult to mention the names of all. Students from even far-flung areas attended this school, as there was a hostel at the school.
Zahid Mumtaz
