Arya High’s decline due to rise of private schools, demographic changes
Once a beacon of academic excellence and character development, Arya High School in Phagwara now finds itself struggling to maintain relevance, reduced to a modest middle school with just 100 students.
The decline of this once-iconic institution, which produced national icons and academic achievers, has become a symbol of changing educational landscapes in Punjab’s Doaba region.
Founded during the pre-independence era, Arya High School enjoyed its golden years in the 1950s and 60s, when it stood as one of the most reputable educational institutions in the region. In its prime, the school’s alumni list boasted of distinguished personalities who went on to excel in their respective fields, achieving national and international fame.
Among the most celebrated graduates were: Dharmendra, the Bollywood megastar, who completed his matriculation here, rising from his humble roots in Phagwara to become a household name. Inder Singh, former captain of India’s national football team, a trailblazer in sports with an illustrious international career. Dr Romesh Japra, a leading cardiologist based in San Francisco, who became a member of the President of the United States’ Medical Board and the Founder Chairman of the Fremont Hindu Temple in California. Harjit Singh Parmar, the veteran politician and owner of the Paradise Cinema, Phagwara, known for his academic brilliance during his time at the school.
Arya High School was also revered for its faculty, many of whom, despite meagre salaries, gave their all to shape the future of their students. Among the most notable were: Kewal Krishan Chaudhary, a social studies and mathematics teacher who earned only Rs 70–80 per month and was also the father of Dharmendra. Ram Parkash, the headmaster and Chet Ram, the second headmaster, who brought a strong administrative discipline that ensured the school’s academic success. Roshan Lal Bhalla and Shanti Saroop Soni, both influential English teachers, along with Pt Abdhad Bihari, Master Madan Mohan Shastri, Master Lal Chand, Khairati Lal and Nasib Singh, who formed the backbone of the school’s renowned faculty.
The school’s influence extended into politics as well. One of its former teachers, Master Om Parkash Agnihotri, joined politics and ran for elections under the Saanjha Front, where he defeated veteran Congress leader, the late Hans Raj Sharma, though he continued to serve the school.
Today, Arya High School stands in stark contrast to its illustrious past. Once bustling with energy, the campus is now eerily quiet, with only 100 students enrolled. The rise of private schools, demographic changes and a lack of investment in the institution have all contributed to its downfall.
For local families, the question of where to send their children has become complicated. The once-thriving institution that shaped national icons is now struggling for survival, unable to regain its former stature.
As its alumni and educators reflect on Arya High School’s decline, there is a growing sentiment among them to see the school revived. One former student shared, “This institution was not just a school—it was the pillar of our community. Its story should not end like this.”
Whether the school can be revived is uncertain, but its legacy—marked by the achievements of its alumni and the memories of the generations it shaped—continues to inspire and leave a lasting imprint on the region.
Jalandhar