“Building a better India by building better boys and girls.” – Rev. (Dr). D. Mark Buntain
In 1963 the late Rev. (Dr.) D. Mark Buntain saw the need to provide a good education to the many children who did not have any school to attend.
The Assembly of God Church School, Kolkata, opened its doors on 20th January 1964 with 230 students and 16 teaching staff. Mr. James Elloy, the then Deputy Secretary of Education, presided at the opening ceremony.
In the beginning there was only the front portion of the school building at Royd Street on a site formerly used for grazing cattle. At the back was an aluminium Quonset hut used as a nursery class.
From June 1986, the Secondary School and Junior College sections were housed at the Buntain Education Centre 125/1, Park Street while the Junior School Section (Nursery – Class VI) remained at 18/1, Royd Street, Kolkata – 16.
A small green van was once used to transport the students, but today the school fleet comprises five large buses and two mini-buses.
When the School was opened in 1964 the children were provided with biscuits and milk and the programme continues till date.
The School was first recognised as a private Primary School in 1965, as a Middle School in 1967, as a Junior High School in 1969 and then as a High School in 1970 by the Department of Education, West Bengal. Soon after, the School received affiliation to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, New Delhi and sent up its first batch of 35 students for the ISC Examination in 1970.
Mrs. G. D. Shaw and Mrs. H. Buntain also served as Principals to fill in when the need arose.
A Special Unit for children with Dyslexia and other learning disabilities was opened in September 1992. This caters in a small way to special needs of these children and attempts to help them rejoin the mainstream of education.
The Senior School also includes the National Open School Section which enrolls students for the Bridge / Foundation, Secondary and Senior Secondary courses. This was begun in 1993 and granted affiliation by the National Open School, New Delhi in 1994
The Assembly of God Church Educational Programme in West Bengal now comprises 18 Educational Institutions and Training Colleges.
Principals/Heads
Mrs. G. D. Shaw (Founder Principal) : 1964 — 1973
Rev. Dr. Ronald Shaw : 1973 — 1978
Mr. A. K. Malvea : 1979 — 1987
Rev. Dr. A. S. Raj : 1987 — 1988
Miss V. C. Subaiya : 1988 — 1991
Mr. L. W. Hartnett : 1991 — 2002
Miss A. Kurian : 2002 —2010
Mr. V. Singh : 2010 —2018
Mr. L. Chellappa : 2018—