History

BARI HIGH SCHOOL (XII CLASS) : THE SCENARIO OF ESTABLISHMENT

On 01st November in the year 1956, under the State Reorganization Act, the then Purulia sub-division of Manbhum district of Bihar in lndependent India was annexed with its sixteen police stations to West Bengal. Today's Manbazar-II block of Purulia was a geographically disconnected, backward and neglected area, obsessed with the darkness of illiteracy then. This area, surrounded by rivers and devoid of so called modern transportation, was in such a rural condition then that no medical system was there actually for people infected with deadly diseases. In the middle of last century,  parents of this remote locality used to send their children far away for education. Bari village is fifty-four kilometres away from Purulia district town.

The Panchayat Raj was established in West Bengal in 1958. Sitaram Mahato, an eminent and generous personality, who, born and brought up on the soil of Bari village, was elected as the Anchal-Pradhan of Bari-Jagda Gram Panchayat. He was the then Headmaster of Rajnoagarh High School. Sitaram Mahato proposed various constructive works with the assistance of all the elected members and tried his level best to put them in practical implications. Establishment of educational institution, setting up of post office and primary health centre in Bari village, bus communication with Purulia district town and so on were his unique and memorable works for the development of this area.

In January, 1962, a Two-Class Junior High School was established on the arid and barren land of the southern part of Bari village. Sitarm Mahato was the donner and founder of the school. Other persons who assisted him and became the founder members are Ram Gopal Mahato of Malian, Hem Chandra Mahato of Chowkan, Bankim Chandra Mahato of Beldi and Ram Chandra Mahato of Palashboni. Several persons contributed their lands, funds and personal efforts as well as their labour during construction of school building and establishment of this institution. As found in the record, thirty persons contributed their pond for seven years for pisciculture in the name of the school at that time. In such a way, it became an institution of the people, by the people and for the people.

The little school started its lessons with the guidance and care of two affectionate teachers, Ashwini Kumar Mahato, the Head Teacher and Gopal Chandra Mahato. Thereafter, the school was being continued to improve and prosper with hearty efforts of other teachers. Sitaram Mahato was elected as the member of Purulia District School Board at that time. On 01st January, 1965, the school got its approval of Four-Class Junior High School. Next year, on 01st January, 1966, the school became an Eleven-Class Higher Secondary School. Primarily higher school started with approval of Arts section only and in 1970, with another approval, started its science classes. Among thirteen number of examinees of the first batch in 1969 board examination, nine candidates passed out. The full fledged journey of Bari High School (XII Class) was started in the year of 1976. In this very year, the school got its approval and became the only Higher Secondary School in Manbazar-II block of Purulia district. The school developed itself as an oasis in the unlearned arid soil at that time.

Bari High School (XII Class) successfully celebrated its colourful Golden Jubilee Celebration in the year 2012. This renowned school has been rendering its service for a glorious period of fifty eight years with enormous help and support of sensitive people in this area of Manbazar-II block of Purulia district.