The academic year commencing June 2024 saw the addition of a play group for the littlest of learners and refurbished nursery and kindergarten classes at The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution (BJPCI). The "aesthetically refurbished nursery and kindergarten classrooms” were inaugurated on June 3, stated a note from Daisy Zohrabi, principal of the pre-primary, primary and middle school. The school’s website states that their "Kids Kastle Playgroup” will be a "haven of learning for the tiny tots.”
Top, from l: Dinshaw Tamboly, Homiyar Madan, Rumy Zarir, Jamshed Jeejeebhoy;
above: learning made fun at The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution
Equipped with digital boards and interactive smart classrooms, Zohrabi stated that "with the introduction of gymnastics, speech and drama, music, experiential and skill-based learning, we are giving an impetus to building a great foundation for the learners in their initial years at school.” The student strength of the playgroup, junior and senior kindergarten is 94, of which five are Parsis, the principal told us later. Architect Nimisha Agashe, a BJPCI alumna, "designed the layout of the vibrant classroom spaces so very meticulously.” The refurbishment project was possible due to the generosity of WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) Trust Funds (WZOTF), appreciated Zohrabi. "We extend our special thanks to the trustees of WZOTF, particularly Dinshaw Tamboly and Homiyar Madan who took the initiative to put our plans into action.”
At the inauguration, where BJPCI trustee Jamshed Jeejeebhoy, Madan, social worker Rumy Zarir, parents, teachers and students were present, Tamboly said that "education is the backbone of progress, the promise of peace and prosperity, the instrument of liberty and the foundation to build the lofty structure of a nation.” Though Jeejeebhoy did not speak on the occasion, Zohrabi later told Parsiana that "he’s the one who pioneers the upgradation of our school and leaves no stone unturned in extending his support towards student and staff welfare.”
Inaugurated in 1891 pursuant to a trust created by benefactor Byramjee Jeejeebhoy (1822-1890) for "establishing a school for poor Parsi boys,” the Institution opened its doors to other communities and female learners as well as started a junior college in the last half of the 20th century (see "A heritage of learning,” Parsiana, March 7-20, 2024). The imposing heritage structure of the school building underwent major restoration in the early years of this decade. Zohrabi’s co-principal for the secondary school is Vandana Nambiar.
F. J.