History

Laban Assamese Girls’ Higher Secondary School, is one of the oldest educational institutions of Meghalaya contributing to the growth of female education in the state. This school has completed a long glorious journey of hundred years since its inception in 1918. It began as a primary school in the year 1918 with a small number of dedicated, committed and hard working assamese pioneers settled around in and around the Laban area. A few of those pioneers were Late Sonadhar Senapati, Late Shashi Bhushan Borua, Late Manik Chandra Hazarika, Late Bhairab Baruah, Late Rai Shaheb Kamala Kanta Barua.

To establish the school, the land was donated by Raj Kumar Sideswar Gohain. In 1918, the school building was put up at a cost of Rs. 1000/-. towards which the Director of Public Instruction gave a grant of about 1000/- and school committee subscribed Rs.100/-. The school then was well equipped with suitable furniture.

Late Bhawani Kanta Borua, Retd. I.G.P of undivided Assam was the first student of the school and the first batch of the school had seven students. This school primarily meant for girls but many boys also attend the school, because Govt. Boys School, Mawkhar was quite far from Laban for young boys to attend.

Late Padmawati Hazarika, wife of late Manik Ch. Hazariaka was the first teacher/headmistress of the school and she worked 1918-1922. Miss Ester Gohain, a senior trained mistress was recruited in July 1920. Mrs.Dharmakanti Bora who passed Junior Training Examination in 1922 and had a working experience of one year in Mission Girls’ School, Guwahati, took over the charge of the school on 9th February, 1926.In 1928 school was upgraded to M.E School. In 1930 Late Banshiram Das joined as headmaster and his wife late Golapi Das also joined as teacher. In 1934, there were four teachers in the school. They were Bangshiram Das, Dharmakanti Bora, Ellina Kay and Golapi Das.

In 1935, school was shifted to present location and upgraded to High School with the sincere efforts of Late Bangshiram Das, Late Rai Saheb Dilip Das and Late Phani Sharma along with the founder members. In the present location, the school was provided with a magnificent building at a cost of Rs.2748/-. For this noble cause the following contributions were received, public Rs. 1299/-, municipality Rs. 150/- and the Governor Rs.1300/-. In the same year two graduate mistresses, Smti. Halima Khatoon and Smti. Boneli Khongman were appointed as Asst. teachers.

Padmashree awardees Late Boneli Khongmen and Late Indira Miri also served in this school as headmistress.

In 1939, the school was affiliated to Calcutta University and one girl appeared Matriculation Examination for the first time from the school. Subsequently the school was affiliated to Guwahati University, Secondary Education Board ofAssam (SEBA) and finally to Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) in the year 1975.

In the Managing Committee meeting held on 4th December 1960 it was decided that a form two separate managing Committeesfor primary and high school section of the school. In the year 1972, Primary Section of the school was again shifted to the original place.

In 1993-1994, an extension of the existing building for Library cum Science Laboratory was carried out with help of public contributions.

School started the Higher Secondary Section (Arts Stream) in the year 2013. Col. Anjan Dutta, then president of Managing Committee and Smti. Minati Viswakarma, ex-headmistress of the school, initiated the idea of starting the higher secondary section.In the same year the school wasalso selected as a centre for holding SSLC Examination by MBOSE.

In the year 2015 a sanction for a new building was received under MP LOCAL AREA DEVELOPMENT SCHEME of Prof. Mrinal Miri, then honourable MP Rajya Sabha. This new building was named as PADMASHREE INDIRA MIRI BLOCK, which was decided jointly by the management and other well wishers of the school. Children of Late Holiram Datta,ex-president MC and Late Shanti Datta,ex- headmistress sponsored the stage of the new block in memory of their mother Late Shanti Datta.

It is presently running under the Deficit Grant in Aid system of Government of Meghalaya affiliated to MBOSE having English as its medium of instruction. Presently the school has 13 teaching and 3 non-teaching staff members.