Karachi Grammar School

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Karachi Grammar School
Karachi Grammer School crest.jpg
Logo of Karachi Grammar School (Crest)
Location
Karachi Grammar School
Karachi
,
Sindh

Pakistan
Coordinates 24°51′53″N67°01′42″E / 24.864751°N 67.028395°E / 24.864751; 67.028395
Information
School type Independent school, Day school, Selective school
MottoLucerna Meis Pedibus [1]
(A lantern to my feet)
Religious affiliations Anglican
Church of Pakistan (formerly Church of England)
Founded1847;179 years ago (1847)
FounderThe Reverend Henry Brereton
StatusActive
PrincipalCarl P.Lander
Gender Co-educational
Age3to 19
Houses  Frere
  Napier
  Papworth
  Streeton
Publication
  • The Grammarian
  • The Pulse
AlumniOld Grammarians' Society
Website www.kgs.edu.pk

Karachi Grammar School is an independent, English-medium school located in 3 different campuses across Karachi. The main and oldest campus is located in Saddar, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It is a highly selective, coeducational day school (formerly a day/boarding school) serving approximately 2,400 students aged between three and nineteen years. [2]

Contents

Established in 1847 by the Reverend Henry Brereton, the first chaplain of Karachi, as a school for "English and Anglo-Indo children", it is the oldest private school in Pakistan and the second oldest in South Asia, [3] [4] a member of the Winchester International Symposium and a former member of the Headmaster's Conference.

Since the 1980s, Karachi Grammar School has expanded from a school with a population of a few hundred students to a large institution that now occupies three sites and teaches more than two thousand students.

History

1847–1854: Origins

Karachi Grammar School was founded as the Anglo-Indian School in 1847. It remained the only non-native school in the town until St. Patrick's High School, Karachi, was founded in 1861, followed by St. Joseph's Convent School, Karachi, in 1862, and Manora School in 1866. Reverend Henry Brereton, the First Chaplain of Karachi, established the school and provided the early accommodation for the school at his private residence, with the first classes taking place in his kitchen. The class formed by the chaplain was at first small enough to be accommodated in these modest premises; however, the smooth running of this school over the next seven years was disturbed by rumours of Brereton not being a "good master" and his performance as a manager being unsatisfactory.

Looking into this matter, on 27 July 1854, the Commissioner of Sindh, Sir Bartle Frere, summoned a public meeting with a view to establishing an institution that provided 'good secular instruction to children of all sects'. In this meeting, funds were collected through subscriptions to establish a school, a managing committee was appointed and rules were framed that later became the basis for the present Constitution of KGS. It was the newly appointed, managing committee that decided to purchase the Mess House of Her Majesty's 64th Regiment at No. 24 Depot Lines, which is at the site of the present day Middle School. The reorganized school was formally opened on 1 November 1854 as "The Kurrachee European and Indo-European School". [5]

1854–1914: Early years

The school continued on its regular course with a small student body of around 40 children. In 1874, Reverend G. B. Streeton, then Chaplain of Karachi and Honorary Secretary of the school, suggested a plan that included expanding the school premises and securing a title deed for the land the school was to occupy, which could only be completed by August 1890 due to complications regarding the government's rights to the resumption of cantonment land.

Streeton raised ₨ 4,918, which enabled his plan to go ahead. Captain Thomas F. Dowden of the Royal Bombay Engineers was commissioned to make the architectural drawings for the new building. The new school building was opened for boarders on 27 February 1875 by Sir William Merewether, Commissioner-in-Sind at that time. The role of children was 75 in 1875 and 90 children in 1876 with six teachers, implying a pupil-teacher ratio of 15:1.

During the following years, the school flourished. It was endowed with a library in memory of a local doctor. In 1879, the school was renamed from "The Kurrachee European and Indo-European School" to "Karachi Grammar School". [6]

In 1901, the school went through a difficult time after the headmaster, Mr. Taylor, was forced into resignation by the school's managing committee; the number of students decreased considerably over the course of the following year. Taylor opened his own school named "Taylor High School". In 1902, Taylor returned along with the pupils from his private school. During the next three years, the school improved academically; however, it struggled financially, barely affording the employees. In 1910 the school received a grant of Rs. 2000, which continued over the next thirty years and rescued it from financial crisis. [7]

In 1912, Bernard Tobin was the first pupil to take and pass the Cambridge School Certificate Examination. Additionally, this year marked the first scouts enrolled in the school. Towards the end of 1914, construction began on the third story of the school, and students were temporarily taught in a building on Merewether Road, which was given free of charge. The total count of students had reached 151. [8]

Academics and curriculum

Karachi Grammar School gives its students 15 years of education on three different sites. The Kindergarten and Junior sections are accommodated in one site in Clifton, with students spending Nursery, Prep, Grades 1 and 2 in the Kindergarten Section, and Grades 3–6 in its Junior Section. Children spend three years in Grades 7–9 in the middle school located on the Saddar site. On the senior level, the college section, also located in Clifton, is geared towards preparing students for the GCE ordinary Level, advanced subsidiary level, and advanced Level examinations. [9]

Subjects taught at KGS include physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, computer studies, computing, Pakistan studies, Urdu, Islamiyat, English Literature, English Language, economics, accounting, business studies, world history, art, world geography, psychology, sociology, and media studies. [10]

Extracurricular activities

In the Junior Section, extracurricular activities available include sports, music, swimming, a school choir, scouts and girl guides, community service, etc. [11] In the Middle Section, activities and events are organized through clubs and societies, such as the Biology and Philosophy clubs and the Helper's Society. [12] At the College Section, there are several societies and clubs, such as those focused on humanities and arts, like the Eastern Music Society, Urdu Society and the Dramatica Club, as well as those focused on STEM, notably the Einstein Society and Mathematics Society, among others. [13] Karachi Grammar School also hosts many national and inter-school competitions and events, such as Karachi Grammar Science Olympiad, Karachi Grammar Mathematics Olympiad, KGX, Karachi Grammar Entrepreneurship Summit (KGES), GRAMA, GRAMMART, and GRAMMUN.

Public speaking and debating

The school has won national and international debate competitions. It maintains a Parliamentary Debate Team, several of whom have represented Pakistan in the World Schools Debating Championships. [14]

Karachi Grammar School is also known for its Model United Nations team. It has entered competitions including LUMUN (Pakistan's largest international Model United Nations conference, hosting over 1200 delegates), where the school team won in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2020 and most recently, in 2021. Karachi Grammar School also took part in Harvard Model United Nations 2012 in Beijing, China, winning the 'Best Large Delegation' award. [15] In August of the same year, Karachi Grammar School sent a 12-member delegation to Hyderabad, India, to attend the 2nd session of the Harvard Model United Nations India. Once more, the delegation received the overall Best Large Delegation Award out of over 100 delegations and 800 delegates. This made the school the winner at both of Harvard's international high school MUN conferences (China and India). [16] In the following years, KGS was once again declared the Best Large Delegation at Harvard MUN India 2013 and Harvard MUN China 2014, 2015. They won Best International Delegation at HMUN Boston 2016 as well as HMUN China 2017, [17] sustaining an undefeated streak at international MUN conferences. In 2022 the KGS Model United Nations Team founded KGSMUN, their flagship MUN Conference, expanding their role from participants to organizers in the global MUN community.[ citation needed ]

In 2018, the school's parliamentary debating team went to Turkey for the annual EurAsian Schools Debating Championship and secured first place, defeating the Greece national team in the finals. This was the first Pakistani team to ever win an international parliamentary debating championship. In 2023, they won DSP Raziuddin Shaikh All Pakistan Senior Nationals And Were Runners Up Of 2024-25 Senior Nationals. KGS B also won 2025 Junior Nationals

House system

The four school houses are:

The house system was introduced in 1929, and the houses were originally known as A, B, and C; the following year the house names were changed to Napier, Frere, and Streeton, respectively. [18]

Leadership

The school is currently led by Mr. Carl P. Lander, who serves as Principal and Chief Executive Officer. The school operates under the governance of a Board of Governors registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. The school maintains complete financial independence, receiving no grants from the government or any other external source.[ citation needed ]

Recent developments

Sports achievements

In February 2024, Karachi Grammar School won the Reflections School Tournament, defeating the host school 2-1 in the final. The victory was secured by captain Sanaullah Khan, who was named Man of the Match, while midfielder Karim Ali Ata received the Player of the Tournament award. "Karachi Grammar School wins Reflections School Tournament". The News International. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2025.

In 2023, KGS won the DSP Raziuddin Shaikh All Pakistan Senior Nationals and were runners-up in the 2024-25 Senior Nationals. Additionally, KGS B team won the 2025 Junior Nationals.[ citation needed ]

Academic programs

In 2024-25, the school introduced financial literacy sessions, including a program led by Dr. Subeika Rizvi aimed at empowering students' understanding of financial concepts. KGS has also introduced Entrepreneur Day programs in the Middle Section, demonstrating the school's commitment to developing business acumen among students.[ citation needed ] The school expanded its cultural activities, including the Middle Section Music Concert and regular talent shows celebrating creativity and confidence among students.[ citation needed ]

Admissions

As of 2025, the school conducted admissions for multiple entry points including Year VII (Grade 7), Year X (Grade 10), and A-Level First Year admissions. For external candidates applying to A-Level programs, a non-refundable processing fee of Rs. 2,500 was required.[ citation needed ]

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Mission Statement of KGS". Archived from the original on 23 August 2010.
  2. ↑ "About us". www.cambridgeinternational.org.
  3. ↑ "Pakistan Stamps". Archived from the original on 29 April 2009.
  4. ↑ [ dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Education and the Origins of KGS", The Life and Times of Karachi Grammar School (Published 2010), pages 16–19.
  6. ↑ New Beginnings,1874-9, "The Life and Times of Karachi Grammar School" (Published 2010) Pages 20–23
  7. ↑ Karachi Grammar School 1847–1988, (Published 1988) Pages 26–29.
  8. ↑ Karachi Grammar School 1847–1988 (published 1988), pages 30–32.
  9. ↑ "Karachi Grammar School". Archived from the original on 9 February 1999.
  10. ↑ Subject taught at KGS
  11. ↑ "Co-curricular". Karachi Grammar School. Archived from the original on 18 October 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  12. ↑ "Middle Section: Co-curricular". Karachi Grammar School. Archived from the original on 9 December 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  13. ↑ "Co-Curricular Activities". Karachi Grammar School. Archived from the original on 19 August 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  14. ↑ "About WSDC". WSDC.
  15. ↑ "Departure lounge tension: "So who here can speak Mandarin?"". The Express Tribune. 13 March 2012.
  16. ↑ "KGS wins best delegation award at Harvard MUN". The Express Tribune. 19 August 2012.
  17. ↑ "Pakistan's KGS wins laurels at Harvard Model United Nations". DAWN.COM. 3 April 2014.
  18. ↑ History of Karachi Grammar School
  19. ↑ "Masood Ahmed". 22 September 2023.
  20. 1 2 Interview with Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy Canada, February 2000
  21. ↑ "Asif Ali Zardari". DAWN.COM. 13 January 2011.
  22. ↑ Aijaz, Zain (25 June 2023). "A green filter to make films pop!". The Express Tribune.
  23. ↑ "Obituary: Benazir Bhutto, 1953–2007". The Times . 27 December 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2008.[ dead link ]
  24. ↑ "Benazir Bhutto". IMDb.
  25. ↑ "Murtaza Bhutto". Pakistan Herald. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  26. ↑ "Jamil Dehlavi". Habib University. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  27. ↑ "High Court of Balochistan > Justice Qazi Faez Isa". bhc.gov.pk.
  28. ↑ "Google Groups". groups.google.com.
  29. 1 2 Blue Chip Magazine: Contributor Biographies
  30. ↑ "Nazia Hassan – The Musical Story". Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  31. ↑ "PM Imran approves appointment of Ali Jehangir Siddiqui as 'Ambassador-at-Large' for investment". The News International. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  32. ↑ "Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi". Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  33. ↑ "On a new mission; Rabiya Javeri-Agha continues to inspire working women". Daily Times. 23 December 2016.
  34. ↑ "Leader's Letter", November 2002. New Zealand First.
  35. ↑ "Chishty Mujahid completes half a century of broadcasting and telecasting cricket commentary". 19 January 2017.
  36. ↑ "Waheed Murad". Daily Dawn. Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  37. ↑ "Arif Masood Naqvi". prideofpakistan.com. The Abraaj Group.
  38. ↑ "Pakistani actors are now appearing in Hollywood films". The Express Tribune. 13 July 2011.
  39. ↑ "Sharing her View of Humanity". The Guardian. 4 June 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  40. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  41. ↑ "Prof Dr Atta-ur-Rahman". Pakistan Herald. Archived from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  42. ↑ "Sherry Rehman". DAWN.COM. 24 April 2013.
  43. ↑ "Inspiring Interview of Ameena Saiyid MD Oxford Press in Book 100".
  44. ↑ "Begum Shaista Ikramullah with her children". 16 December 2015 – via Flickr.
  45. ↑ Turner, Matt. "A biography of Sadeq Sayeed". www.fnlondon.com.
  46. ↑ "Oxford Pakistan Society". www.oupaksoc.org. Archived from the original on 30 December 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  47. ↑ "Kamila Shamsie". Archived from the original on 13 February 2012.
  48. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  49. ↑ Pakistani Women are Progressive The Hindu 22 December 2003. Retrieved 27 January 2012
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