Education
"Knowledge gives humility, from humility comes worthiness;
From worthiness comes wealth, from wealth, righteousness, and from righteousness, happiness."
Inspired by this profound thought, the Managing Committee of Shri Guru Ram Rai Udasin Ashram held discussions and established Swami Brahmanand Model School in the year 1975. In 1970, the committee was formed at the location of the present Ashram. At that time, the area was a forested land with no construction at all. Even before the Ashram was properly constructed, the idea of establishing a school took root.
The Ashram owned approximately 1000 square yards of land. A boundary wall and three rooms were built on it. With two female teachers and five children, the school was formally started on December 1, 1975. The fee was negligible—just three rupees, and the teachers were paid a monthly honorarium of 90 rupees.
Shortly thereafter, a state of emergency was declared in India. As a result, many schools run by Vidya Bharati were shut down. One such school was the Jhandewala Saraswati Shishu Mandir, whose some students and teachers were integrated into Swami Sarvanand Model School. To give the school a more recognizable identity, it was renamed Guru Ram Rai Saraswati Shishu Mandir. At that point, the school had 30 students and 9 teachers. Due to the dedicated efforts of the teachers, the school grew to 150 students and 15 teachers in just one year. Accordingly, the school fee was gradually increased, and the teachers’ honorarium rose to 150 rupees.
In 1978, a formal managing committee was established for the school, and it was affiliated with the Samarth Shiksha Samiti, Delhi. Since then, the school has been operated according to the committee's academic regulations. The teachers’ pay was also determined in line with the Samiti’s norms. By this time, the emergency period had ended. Through the teachers’ hard work, the standard of education and moral values improved significantly. As a result, student enrollment increased, and the school expanded by constructing the first floor of the building.
To enhance students' interest beyond academics, emphasis was placed on cultural and sports activities, which brought about significant changes in students’ character and health, boosting the school’s reputation. The school was initially up to Class 5 only.
After completing Class 5, students who transferred to other schools were easily accepted due to the strong foundation in academics, discipline, and extracurricular activities.
Encouraged by this success, the teachers became even more dedicated and worked with a spirit of selfless service. The management proudly states that the teachers worked like a family unit. During this entire period, the teachers never requested salary hikes. The school's finances were transparently managed by the school community. Whatever income was generated through fees was distributed among the teachers as honorarium. The Ashram’s managing committee supported the school’s development and infrastructure financially. These values have sustained the school’s operations till today.
By around 1990, the school had nearly 600 students and 30 to 35 staff members.
A major concern arose as most parents expressed a desire for their children to continue studying in the same school beyond Class 5. The managing committee made several efforts to obtain recognition for Class 8, but due to lack of necessary infrastructure, the recognition was delayed. It took nearly 10 years to gather the required resources and develop the school on the limited 1000 square yard land into a beautiful campus. As a result, in 2011, the school was granted recognition up to Class 8. During this phase, the school developed in every aspect.
Motivated by this, both parents and teachers strongly desired that the school be affiliated with CBSE up to Class 10, and efforts are underway in that direction.
The school continues to fulfill its core mission. Our students are humble, capable, academically proficient, and morally grounded. The managing committee takes immense pride and satisfaction in being part of this noble endeavor.
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https://www.sgrsm.in/