Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Parsee Benevolent Institution
The noble Institution which bears Sir Jamsetjee’s name is the most noteworthy example of his wise and practical liberality for the benefit of his fellow citizens.
Sir Jamsetjee offered Rs 3,00,000 together with fifteen shares of the Bank of Bengal, plus five shares of the same bank from Lady Jamsetjee. The Parsi Panchayat offered thirty-five shares of the same bank. The market value of each share was RS 7,000/- the amount which Sir Jamsetjee offered for the Trust came to Rs. 4,44,000/-
Five years ceaseless correspondence between Sir Jamsetjee and the Government terminated in the final acceptance of the revised Deed of Settlement and Rules by both the parties. The Deed was signed on January 9, 1849, and in the Government Gazette of Thursday, March 1, 1849, the following notification appeared: The Right Honorable the Governor–in-Council is pleased to notify that an institution, designated ‘Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Parsee Benevolent Institution, has been established at this presidency under the sanction of the Government, and that the undermentioned gentlemen have been appointed a Panchayat, or Committee, for the management.
Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, President
Members:
Nowrosjee Jamsetjee ,Esq
Bomanjee Hormasjee, Esq.
Dadabhoy Pestonjee, Esq
Cursetjee Rustomjee, Esq
Hormusjee Bomanjee, Esq.
Jamsetjee Dadabhoy, Esq
Cursetjee Jamsetjee, Esq.
Cursetjee Furdoonjee, Esq
Manockjee Limjee, Esq.
Manockjee Nusserwanjee, Esq.
Moonshee Dosabhoy Sorabjee, Esq.
Clause 19 of the Deed of Settlement of the Sir J J P B Institution states that after deducting the expenses of maintaining the funds and affairs of the institution, the remaining income shall be divided into 400 equal shares to be used solely and exclusively for the purposes mentioned in clauses 20th to 42nd.
Truly was it said by Lord Elphinstone: “But it was not the mere possession of wealth that made Sir Jamsetjee’s name memorable. It was the distribution of that wealth with unparalleled benevolence and an enlightened desire to attain the height of usefulness, which was equally rare; that rendered him famous.”
The Sir JJ P B Institution started its glorious career on October 17, 1849 in Borah Bazar Lane. 200 students were on the roll during the first year of its existence, then known as the Central English School, but now known as the “Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Fort Boy’s High school.”
Dadabhai Naoroji approached the trustees to get financial help from them for the girls’ high school run by the Students Literary and Scientific Society. Hardly had he finished explaining the advantages of female education, when Sir Jamsetjee took upon himself the task of providing school for girls. Though the rest of the Trustees were doubtful about the wisdom of opening Girl’s School, Jamsetjee was not. In a few months two Girl’s schools were opened by the Institution.
On August 17, 1850 Jamsetjee’s dearest wish was fulfilled with the opening of two Girls’ Schools, one at Alibaug and the other in the Fort. Thus due to Jamsetjee‘s foresight not only was the education of boys started but that of girls as well began in far-off days, when the champions of orthodoxy i.e. 90% of the parents were against sending their girls to school.
The first prize distribution ceremony of the Sir JJ P B Institution was held at the residence of Sir Jamsetjee in July 1853. It was followed by a second on February 12, 1855 at the same place, when Lord Elphinstone gave away the prizes to the successful students.
From Bohra Bazar the school was shifted to Churchgate street, and from there to two houses situated near the present Sir JJ Fort Boys High School. But the shortage of floor-space and the increase in the number of students made it imperative for the school to have a more spacious building of its own.
The Foundation stone of the Institution building was laid on Tuesday, February 21, 1871 at 4 p.m. in presence of the Governor of Bombay, Sir William Seymour Fitzgerald and Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, Second Baronet. The ninth prize distribution was held a little before the foundation stone was laid. The opening ceremony of the partially completed building was held on November 20, 1872 at 8.30 a.m. with a silver key, the then Viceroy and Governor-General, Lord Northbrook, opened the central door of the ground-floor after suitable speeches were made by Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, Second Baronet, and the Viceroy. The cost of the building came to Rs 2,52,380/- and the total cost of land and building amounted to RS. 3,46,824. Today the whole plot plus the building may fetch more than 200 times the price.
In 1859, when Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, First Baronet, died there were nineteen schools run by the institution. Five of them being in Bombay (two for boys and three for girls), and fourteen in different towns of Gujarat (eleven for boys and three for girls). There is no exaggeration in saying that Sir Jamsetjee was one of the pioneers of female education. We salute him as the Father of Education.
At present, there are seven schools managed by the Institution, four of them being in Bombay, one in Surat and two in Navsari.
The total number of pupils in Bombay school is 1477. The total number of students in the mofussil schools are 2330. Thus, at present, the seven schools run by the Institution impart education to 3807 boys and girls.
All the schools are ably run by highly qualified and experienced teachers. The Sir J.J. Fort Boys’ High Schoo has the good fortune to have the services of an able educationist Mrs. Joan D’Mello as its Principal. The Sir J.J. Fort Girls’ High School is no less fortunate to have Miss Firdous Abbas as its Principal.
In 2021, this Noble Institution successfully completed its 172 years of glorious existence. It has been instrumental in training thousands of young boys and girls, many of whom have distinguished themselves in this world. India owes a debt of gratitude to the Founder of this Institution.