Dhaka Residential Model College: A Legacy of Excellence in Education

Dhaka Residential Model College (DRMC), a public autonomous residential school located on Mirpur Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh, has been striving for excellence since its establishment on May 5, 1960. The institution offers primary, secondary, and higher secondary education for students from third grade to twelfth grade (approximately ages 8 to 18).

Historical Overview

Founding and Early Years

The college was founded by Field Marshal Ayub Khan, the second president of Pakistan. Dhaka Residential Model College was established in 1960, in an area of about 50 acres beside Mirpur Road near Sher-e-Bangla Nagor in Dhaka by the then central government of Pakistan. Dhaka was the capital and the largest city of East Pakistan.

In 1962, the administration of DRMC was assumed by the provincial government of East Pakistan. In 1965, the government converted the institution into an autonomous body, and its administration was relegated to a board of governors with the Chief Secretary of East Pakistan as its chairman. In 1967, the government of Pakistan again took control of the school. At that time, a new board of governors was constituted with the Education Secretary of Pakistan as its Chairman.

Post-Independence Developments

After the independence of Bangladesh, a board of governors was appointed with the Education Secretary as its Chairman. Since its inception, the school has been funded through government grants and fees from students. In March 1993, another session known as the Day shift was added, according to the education expansion policy of the government, to cope with the growing number of students. Measures were taken to build a gymnasium, park, swimming pool, auditorium, mosque, administrative building and residences for the principal, vice-principal and school staff. The school opened eleventh and twelfth grades in 1967. In 1978, another dormitory named Lalon Shah House was built for students in grades 11-12. In 1999, it had about 600 students and 90 teachers, of which 20 were women. In 2008, a four-storied house named Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah was built for students of the day shift. As of 2010, the number of non-resident students is substantially larger than that of resident students.

Purpose of Establishment

DRMC was originally established by Field marshal Ayub Khan, the first military leader of Pakistan, to provide education for army officers in East Pakistan. The school, and later the college, were modeled after public schools in the United Kingdom (according to the British Public Schools Act 1868), particularly Eton College. The house system was designed to resemble Eton's.

Academic Structure and Curriculum

Educational Levels

Dhaka Residential Model College offers both primary and secondary education and emphasizes student discipline in all of their activities. The academic offerings are structured into primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels, spanning Classes III through XII under the oversight of Bangladesh's National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).

Facilities and Resources

It has laboratories for physics, chemistry, computers, biology, mathematics and geography and a library with more than 20,000 books, journals, newspapers and magazines. The academic year is divided into two terms. In addition to a terminal exam, three class tests are held each term.

Examinations and Assessments

Students have to sit for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination at the end of the 10th grade, and the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) at the end of the 12th grade. At the completion of the 5th grade, students have to sit for the Primary Education Completion Exam (PSC) examination program. Students at the end of the 8th grade have the option to sit for the Junior School Certificate (JSC).

The SSC and HSC examinations are conducted by the Board of Secondary and Intermediate Education under the Ministry of Education. SSC is the diploma awarded for the completion of grades one to ten, which is equivalent to the O Levels in the UK. HSC is the high school diploma which is equivalent to the high school diploma in the United States that is given after the completion of Grade 12, and the A Levels in the UK.

The SSC examination consists of eleven subjects totaling 1,100 marks, with each subject given 100 marks, including practical tests for science subjects. A minimum of 33 marks are required to pass each subject. Subjects will depend on which major program a student has elected to study. These major programs are Sciences; Arts and Humanities; and Commerce. Students have to elect one of these three programs just before enrollment in the 9th grade for SSC, and again in the 11th grade for HSC.

Read also: DDC Program Guide

The HSC examination consists of six subjects totaling 1,200 marks, with each subject providing 200 marks, including practical tests for science subjects. The minimum number of marks required to pass each subject is 66. Results of both the exams are published in the form of a GPA. The highest score is GPA-5. The Dhaka Education Board annually ranks schools and colleges from across the country in terms of GPA-5 scorers.

Teaching Staff and Student-Teacher Ratio

The school employs about 200 teaching staff and 80 non-teaching staff. The student-teacher ratio is 20:1. Teachers occasionally attend training programs organized by different government institutions. The school had more training workshops for its teachers than any other neighboring cluster of schools in 2000, under the English Language Teaching Improvement Project, which is funded by the British and Bangladeshi governments.

Academic Streams

At the higher secondary level (Classes XI-XII), students pursue the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) in one of three streams: Science (730 seats allocated), Humanities (100 seats), or Business Studies (200 seats), with instruction available in both Bangla and English mediums to accommodate diverse linguistic proficiencies. Science stream includes advanced Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Higher Mathematics, and English; Humanities covers Bangla, English, Logic, and Sociology; while Business Studies features Accounting, Business Organization, and Statistics, all following NCTB syllabi evaluated through board examinations.

Admission Process

Although Dhaka Residential Model College operates from the 3rd through the 12th grade, it only admits students into the 3rd, 9th and 11th grades. Consequently, the higher grades have fewer students than the lower grades, as a relatively large number of students transfer out. Admission in the 3rd and 9th grades are based on admission tests. The admission tests for DRMC are highly competitive. Students in these grades are admitted through written and viva voce tests for both the morning and day shifts. Students who pass the written test have to qualify in the viva exam. In addition to written and viva tests, candidates have to go through a medical examination as well. Admission to the 11th grade is determined by a student's grade point average (GPA) in the SSC examination. Many students with the highest grades in the SSC compete for admission as the school has limited enrollment in every grade. The admission processes at Dhaka Residential Model College for lower grades (3, 6, and 9) have shifted toward a lottery system in recent years to address disparities arising from unequal access to preparatory coaching for entrance examinations. Eligible applicants, meeting age criteria such as 7-9 years for grade 3 as of January 1 of the admission year, submit online applications followed by initial document verification, including admit cards and medical forms. For higher secondary (grade 11) admissions, the process aligns with Bangladesh's national centralized system via xiclassadmission.gov.bd, where candidates apply online selecting DRMC among preferences based on Secondary School Certificate (SSC) GPAs.

Curriculum Overview

Dhaka Residential Model College's curriculum includes traditional primary, secondary and intermediate level academic subjects. Students of primary classes take academic core subjects including Bengali, English, mathematics, social science, general science, arts and crafts, religion and physical science. Students have to take agricultural science after completing their primary education. Students of the secondary level have to elect one of the three major programs: Arts and Humanities; Commerce; and Science. Students of the intermediate level (grades 11 and 12), have to elect one of the three major programs as well. Students have some compulsory subjects and some optional subjects in each of the programs.

Read also: Activism at Dhaka University

Daily Routine and Discipline

Dhaka Residential Model College enforces a structured daily routine for its residential students, emphasizing punctuality, academic focus, and self-regulation through fixed schedules for waking, classes, meals, supervised study sessions, recreation, and bedtime. Disciplinary measures are stringent, with adherence to uniforms, prohibition on unauthorized electronic devices during study hours, and rules against truancy or disruptive behavior upheld by provosts and administrative oversight.

Campus Environment and Infrastructure

Location and Size

Dhaka Residential Model College is located on a 50-acre (20 ha) campus in a residential neighborhood. The campus is in northwest Dhaka at Mirpur Road, just opposite the official residence of the Prime Minister. With 20 buildings (including the newly built Dr.Muhammad Shahidullah House), six of which are dormitories, it is one of the largest residential colleges in the country.

Facilities

The campus consists of dormitories, eight teachers' quarters, individual residences for the principal and vice-principal, staff quarters, a mosque, five basketball courts, several volleyball courts, a laundry shop, an auditorium, an administrative building, eight full-size football fields and an infirmary. The infirmary, which houses 20 beds, has arrangements for the treatment of common diseases and necessary vaccinations. It is headed by two doctors and has several pharmacists. The school has its own water-pump for the water supply of the college. In total, the college has 15 fields and playgrounds. Three buildings known as Academic Buildings are used for academic purposes. Academic Building 1, for ninth grade through to twelfth grade, is located at the northeast side; Academic Building 2, for third grade through to the eighth grade, is located at southeast corner of the campus. Academic Building 3, is newly opened and started organizing classes and exams in limit.

Historical Monuments and Landmarks

A monument has been built in front of Academic Building 1 to commemorate those killed during the Bengali Language Movement demonstrations of 1952. The Language Movement was a political effort in East Pakistan, advocating the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of Pakistan. The campus has a mini-zoo with deer and different species of birds called 'Bihangan Neer', (Bengali:বিহঙ্গ নীড়) which means birds' nest. This campus also has a big Banyan Tree known as 'Bot Tola',(Bengali:বট তলা) which is in front of Academic Building 2. Every year 'Annual Cultural Week' held there.

Dormitories (Houses)

Dhaka Residential Model College has dormitories known as "houses". Two of the houses are for students in the third through the eighth grade, and the other four houses are for students in the ninth through twelfth grade. The houses are: Zainul Abedin House, Qudrat-E-Khuda House, Lalon Shah House, Kazi Nazrul Islam House, Fazlul Haq House and Dr.Muhammad Shahidullah House. All the houses are named after intellectuals or other renowned persons of the country. Zainul Abedin house was established on May 1, 1961. Before the independence of Bangladesh, the house was named Ayub House. The house has 12 rooms and accommodation for about 200 students. Qudrat-i-Khuda house has accommodation for 190 students and a total of 13 rooms. Fazlul Haq house has accommodation for around 130 students. Lalon Shah house was used as a medical center in 1960-1976. It was converted to a house in 1977. The house has accommodations for 102 students and a total of 29 rooms. The newly built Dr.Muhammad Shahidullah house was opened on March 20, 2008, exclusively for students of the day shift.

Each house is headed by a housemaster and a house-tutor, selected from senior members of the teaching staff, who number about 20. In addition to the housemaster and house-tutor, each house has a house prefect and a house elder, elected from students of the most senior year. The housemaster and prefects make announcements regarding the work schedule, important notices, and discipline related matters. Every evening, a Night Prep during which the boys study or prepare their school work is held for about two and a half hours under the supervision of the teachers. The principal and vice-principals occasionally visit the houses. Many inter-house competitions occur, mostly in the fields of sport and culture. Every house has a common room, an office room, a dining hall, a small library, kitchen, garden and a prayer room. The common room is used for watching television and gatherings on weekends. Indoor games such as table tennis and chess are also played in these rooms.

Uniform

Except in winter, the uniform for students from grades six to twelve consists of a short-sleeved white shirt with white trousers. For students from grades three to five, the uniform is a short-sleeved white shirt with navy blue half pants. The uniform differs a bit during the winter season. In winter, students wear a navy blue sweater with a necktie, in addition to shirt and pants. For footwear, students wear black Oxford shoes with white socks. In addition, a name tag and college badge are included as part of the uniform. There is a tiny color badge on the sleeve which indicates the house to which the student is attached to. Sport uniforms include white T-shirts with navy blue half pants and appropriate footwear. Resident students have distinctive uniforms as well.

Extracurricular Activities

Clubs and Societies

Due to the size of the college, extracurricular activities offered at Dhaka Residential Model College are many and varied, and are a major feature of DRMC. In addition to established sports, the college also has clubs for debate, science and culture. It also has Boy Scout troops. Students participate in different programs and contests like debating contests, art competitions, music, sports and athletics, essay writing, performing arts, quizzes, science fairs; math, chemistry, physics and astronomy Olympiads; and other extracurricular activities at both national and international levels. Dhaka Residential Model College maintains a dedicated Games and Sports Club that organizes intra- and inter-school competitions, fostering physical fitness and teamwork among students. The Music & Cultural Club and Language Club at Dhaka Residential Model College organize regular events promoting artistic expression and linguistic skills, including performances, exhibitions, and festivals. These initiatives foster creativity among students through activities such as recitations, drama, and cultural exchanges. Dhaka Residential Model College supports a range of student-led clubs and societies that emphasize intellectual development, cultural expression, and community service, complementing its residential academic environment.

Events and Programs

Every year, DRMC plans and runs events intended to serve a variety of purposes - promoting school spirit, for enjoyment, or philanthropic causes. Some of which are open only to students in certain years, while others to the entire student population, alumni, and their respective friends and families. The college organizes an annual science fair as well as debates and cultural and sports competitions. It also hosts many local and international events. DRMC hosted the "Teletalk-DRMC Science Festival 2009", an inter-college science fair involving schools and colleges from across the country. DRMC participated in the International Convention on Students' Quality Control Circle (ICSQCC) in 2003. DRMC hosted the seventh ICSQCC in 2004. The Dhaka divisional round of the HSBC-Prothom Alo Language Competition, the nation's largest contest related to Bengali language and literature, was hosted by DRMC in 2009. UNESCO organized an education fair convening policymakers, students and members of the public at DRMC in 2009, to mark Global Action Week.

The school organizes a week-long cultural competition each year known as Cultural Week, which takes place under a big banyan tree in front of the Academic Building 2. Music contests, debates, recitations, acting, drama, painting and drawing competitions are organized during this week. Art, gardening, soil work, scouting and band education are also included in the extracurricular activities of DRMC. The college organizes a function on February 21 to observe International Mother Language Day every year. It also holds programs on the occasions of Pohela Boishakh, Independence Day Of Bangladesh, and National Victory Day.

Sports

Sports are a major feature of life at Dhaka Residential Model College. Among the outdoor games, football and cricket are the most popular. Cricket is played in winter while football in summer. DRMC has teams for football, cricket, volleyball, hockey and basketball that participate in national and regional games. The DRMC football team reached the finals and became runner-up in the first-ever Inter School Football Tournament 2003; one of its players won the Man of the Match trophy. The team won the championship in the Inter School Football Competition in 2006. DRMC also hosts many tournaments on its grounds. Within the college, teams from the houses take part in annual football, cricket, basketball and volleyball.

Quiz Competitions

In the early 2000s, Dhaka Residential Model College maintained its reputation for extracurricular excellence, with the quiz team securing the championship in a competition organized by Bangladesh Television in 2001. DRMC students actively take part in various quiz bowls. The DRMC quiz team became champions in a competition organized by Bangladesh Television in 2001. DRMC quiz team 'Platinum' became champion in The HSBC Prothom Alo Language Competition in 2005 both at the regional and national levels. DRMC quiz team 'BOMARU' secured the championship in the National Inter-School Quiz Competition organized by Bangladesh Shishu Academy in 2009. In September 2025, DRMC's quiz team, DRMC Sparks, won the 1st Collegiate Quiz Cup by defeating top teams from Notre Dame College, Holy Cross College, St.

Autonomy and Administration

Dhaka Residential Model College (DRMC) functions as a public autonomous institution, a status formalized by the government of East Pakistan in 1965, which transferred its administration to a dedicated board of governors chaired by the Chief Secretary, granting operational independence from direct provincial bureaucratic control while maintaining public funding and policy alignment. This autonomy allows DRMC to manage internal affairs such as curriculum implementation, admissions, and facilities development with relative flexibility, distinguishing it from standard government schools that lack such delegated authority. The Board of Governors serves as the primary oversight mechanism, comprising senior government officials, education experts, and administrative leaders who approve budgets, strategic initiatives, and major appointments. Despite its autonomy, DRMC remains under the ultimate supervisory purview of Bangladesh's Ministry of Education, which provides funding, sets broad regulatory guidelines, and appoints board members, including historically the Education Secretary as chair or key influencer. This hybrid model-autonomous execution with ministerial oversight-preserves DRMC's special status as one of the few institutions with direct ministerial linkage, enabling prioritized resource allocation but subjecting it to periodic government audits and policy directives, such as those on national curriculum reforms.

Brigadier General Mohammed Zaber Hossain, PhD, serves as the current principal, appointed in November 2024 following the departure of his predecessor, Brigadier General Kazi Shameem Farhad. Administrative roles include multiple vice-principals responsible for segmented oversight, such as day-shift operations, junior sections, and residential dormitories, supported by house masters and dedicated administrative staff handling logistics, security, and academic coordination. A former vice-principal, Ferdous Ara Begum, held the role from 2012 to 2017 and engaged in public commentary on national issues in 2024.

Academic Performance and Recognition

DRMC has generally remained among the top ranked schools and colleges of Bangladesh since its inception. The Ministry of Education awarded the institution in 2008 for brilliant performance in the HSC examination.

Dhaka Residential Model College maintains a strong record of academic performance in national examinations under the Dhaka Education Board. Students have earned recognitions in international science and innovation competitions. Nationally, the college's teams have excelled in quizzes and debates.

Contributions and Impact

Dhaka Residential Model College contributes to Bangladesh's economy by prioritizing science and information technology education, aiming to produce skilled graduates capable of driving innovation in a high-tech global landscape.

Challenges and Controversies

In November 2024, students at Dhaka Residential Model College staged protests against the institution's lottery-based admission system for lower classes, demanding its replacement with merit-based entrance examinations to prioritize academic ability over chance. The controversy echoes broader debates in Bangladesh's public education sector, where lottery mechanisms in model schools and colleges have faced scrutiny for undermining meritocracy amid high competition; at DRMC, applications for primary-level entry (such as Class 3) far exceed available seats, leading to reliance on random selection after initial screening. Separate allegations of irregularities in enrollment practices have prompted investigations by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which included DRMC among 15 elite Dhaka schools probed for potential corruption, nepotism, and procedural flaws in student admissions. DRMC students participated in the nationwide quota reform movement in July 2024, which opposed the reinstatement of a 30% job quota for descendants of 1971 Liberation War freedom fighters.

Notable Alumni

Leepu Nizamuddin Awlia, an automotive engineer, designer, and coachbuilder, studied at Dhaka Residential Model College until the ninth grade. Renowned for transforming scrap vehicles into customized luxury models, Awlia gained international recognition through appearances on the American television series Orange County Choppers in 2011, where his improvisational techniques using limited resources impressed hosts Paul Teutul Sr. and Jr. In business, alumni have contributed to sectors like energy and operations, with figures such as Golam Moshi holding executive roles at multinational firms including British Petroleum and Total Gas prior to diplomatic service.

tags: #dhaka #residential #model #college #history