ASJA Boys' College
| ASJA Boys College | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
|
San Fernando and Charlieville Trinidad and Tobago | |
| Information | |
| Motto | Strive to Excel[1] |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Islam |
| Oversight | Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association |
| Principal | Mr. Alim Ali[1] |
| Staff | 30+[1] |
| Enrollment | 600+[1] |
| Website | http://asjaboyssando.org |
ASJA Boys' College is a Muslim secondary school in San Fernando (there is also another college in Charlieville Chaguanas) 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.
Early history
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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 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. It was not until 1960 that its first secondary school, an all-boys college, was opened.Then in the year 2000 a second secondary school was opened in Charlieville Chaguanas.
The 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 three story building. On 14 May 1962, three months before Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence, ASJA Boys College took up permanent residence at the site.
The school enrollment had increased to 300 students with a staff of eight teachers. It was still a private secondary school. After years of negotiation with the government, the ASJA 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. 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 12 students in the class. In 1993 the two colleges went their separate ways as regards the A Level class. This was made possible by the addition of a three 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.
As of 2015 the school had a student population of 650 students and a teaching staff of just over 35 teachers