Faujdarhat Cadet College
Faujdarhat Cadet College is a historic public military high school being the first of its kind in Bangladesh and second in entire Pakistan, modelled after public schools in the UK, run following the national curriculum of Bangladesh in English medium, financed partially by the Bangladesh Army, located at Faujdarhat, near Chittagong, in Bangladesh.
History
Faujdarhat Cadet College was the first cadet college to be established by Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan in erstwhile East Pakistan facing the Bay of Bengal. The government spent 40 lakh taka behind the project and it was opened on 28 April 1958 by Brigadier General Qurban Ali. The classes started with 60 students in the seventh and eighth grade. Two sons of the then Chief Minister of East Pakistan, Ataur Rahman Khan were part of the inaugural cohort of the school. The school was known as East Pakistan Cadet College until 1965, when three new cadet colleges were established. The school boasts an area of 185 acres making it the largest high school in Bangladesh in terms of area. The school was designed by the most prominent artist of Bangladesh, Joynul Abedin.A former cadet of Faujdarhat Cadet College, Lieutenant Md. Anwar Hossain, Bir Uttam, 7th batch, died in the Bangladesh War of Independence.
After independence in 1971, Tofail Ahmed attempted to introduce Awami League's student politics in the school. As he convened a meeting to discuss the prospects with students, senior students of the school boycotted it. The consequences that followed were the enactment of a new policy to convert the four existing cadet colleges to government residential colleges. Cadets from all colleges led by Faujdarhat started "Keep Cadet College Campaign". They met with the then chairman of the cadet college governing body, Brigadier Ziaur Rahman who arranged a meeting for them with M. A. G. Osmani who was then the part of Sheikh Mujib's cabinet. Osmani talked with Prime Minister Sheikh Mujib and convinced him to repeal the new policy.
From 2003, the cadet colleges in Bangladesh were converted to the English version of the National Curriculum.
Academic system
Faujdarhat Cadet College boards up to 300 boys for grades 7 to 12. Every year, 50 students are admitted to the college at grade 7 through a nationwide admission test composed of written, interviews and Medical Examinations.Cadets are enrolled in class 7 of the Bangladesh National Curriculum and continue their study for six years up to the end of higher secondary or college level. They follow the English version syllabus of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board.
Reunion programs
The reunion in 2014 was a notable event as the Armed Forces also had lent hand in organizing this extravagant 3-day event. The Alumni endowed the college with their support in building new infrastructure and residential facilities as well as carrying out the large event which was held from 25 December to 27 December.On 18 January 2018, the Old Faujians Association organized an event called Diamond Jubilee Reunion. Chief of Army Staff, General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Haque inaugurated the event. The program lasted for three days. It started on 18 January and ended on 20 January. On the second day of the program, the legendary singer of this subcontinent, Runa Laila performed on the occasion.