Ideal School and College: A Comprehensive History

Ideal School and College, also known as Motijheel Ideal School and College, despite having branches in Banasree and Mugda, is a renowned educational institution in Bangladesh. Established in 1965, it has grown from a small primary school to a large institution with multiple campuses and a strong academic reputation.

Origins and Establishment

Ideal School and College was founded on March 15, 1965, in Motijheel, Dhaka, by Md. The school was established to cater to the children of the surrounding areas of the Motijheel AGB Colony. Initially, it started as a primary school, fulfilling the educational needs of the local community.

Evolution and Expansion

From Primary to High School

In 1968, the school was upgraded to a junior school. After the independence of Bangladesh, it became a full-fledged high school. For the first 25 years, the school focused on providing education up to the high school level, which is 10 years of formal education according to the Bangladeshi standards.

The Banasree Branch

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary in 1996, the administration opened a new branch in the Banasree residential project of Rampura with 702 students. This expansion marked a significant milestone in the school's history, extending its reach to a broader student population.

The Mugda Branch

Seeing the request of people, the government has granted 1 acre and 6 katha or 402 m2 for a new branch in Mugda. In 2011, the third branch of Ideal School and College opened. The former prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, inaugurated this branch by laying the foundation stone of the proposed academic building.

Campuses and Infrastructure

Ideal School and College has three campuses in Dhaka: Motijheel, Mugda, and Banasree.

Motijheel Campus

The Motijheel Campus serves as the founding and primary location of Ideal School and College. The Main Branch and College campus is beside Peerjongi's Majar and Motijheel AGB Colony. In 1980, President Ziaur Rahman granted 1.2 acres of this campus. In 2003, the English version section of Motijheel campus opened.

Banasree Campus

The Banasree Campus, the second branch of Ideal School and College, is situated in the Rampura area of Dhaka, Bangladesh, specifically within the Banasree residential zone. The administration opened a new branch on the occasion of the 30th anniversary in 1996 in the Banasree residential project of Rampura with 702 students. Construction of a dedicated four-storied school building was completed in 2007, providing expanded classroom and administrative space to accommodate growing student numbers. The campus maintains standard facilities typical of urban Bangladeshi private schools, including laboratories, libraries, and playground areas. In 2012, the Banasree English version section was opened.

Mugda Campus

The third campus is in Mugda. The government granted 1 acre and 6 katha or about 400 m2 land in 2010. It started classes with 1800 students on 20 March 2011. Classes were held in a one-storied tin-shed building. On 8 June 2011, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the Academic Building. Admission processes align with the parent institution's lottery-based system for primary entry, as evidenced by 2020 circulars requiring selected candidates to visit the Mugda site with fees of Tk.

Academic Programs

The school offers primary and secondary education in both Bengali Medium and English Version for boys and girls. Boys and girls are split into separate shifts. Girls attend school in the morning shift starting at 8 AM while boys attend their classes in the day shift starting at 12:00PM. However, male students from class 1 to 3 can also attend classes in the morning shift. Morning shift starts from 6:45 am and ends at 11:30 am. There are two faculties for secondary education: Science and Commerce. The school does not have any Arts faculty.

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The college section introduced Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) programs in science, commerce, and arts streams, aligning with Bangladesh's national curriculum overseen by the Dhaka Education Board. By incorporating higher education, the institution aimed to offer seamless progression from secondary to advanced levels, fostering continuity in student development amid increasing enrollment pressures in urban areas.

Academic Performance and Teaching Methodology

Ideal School and College demonstrates strong performance in Bangladesh's national board examinations, particularly the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), with pass rates consistently exceeding national averages. In the 2025 SSC examinations, 2,645 students appeared, of whom 2,584 passed, yielding a pass rate of 97.7%; notably, 1,549 students attained the maximum GPA of 5.00, while only 61 failed.

Teaching approaches emphasize interactive and student-centered elements supported by modern infrastructure, including spacious classrooms equipped with projectors and audio-visual systems to enhance engagement beyond traditional lecturing. In the English version sections, instruction is conducted primarily in English, incorporating ESL techniques for elementary levels to build language proficiency and classroom management, as observed in practitioner reports from the institution. The curriculum adheres to Bangladesh's National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) standards, focusing on science and commerce streams without an arts faculty, with faculty adapting methods to prepare students for Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations.

Extracurricular Activities and Community Engagement

Beyond examination results, the institution promotes holistic development via extracurricular clubs that extend educational and social impacts. The Ideal Math Society organizes events and partnerships, such as serving as a club partner for the 5th National Debate Championship, fostering mathematical proficiency and competitive skills among students. The Red Crescent Youth chapter recruits volunteers from classes 6 to 9 for humanitarian initiatives, instilling values of service and community involvement. The school further advances societal engagement through organized events that encourage innovation and cultural participation. Annual science fairs, such as the one held on October 16, 2025, provide platforms for student-led research and STEM promotion. Sports and cultural programs, including annual athletics on March 1, 2025, support physical and artistic growth.

Challenges and Controversies

Ideal School and College has faced several challenges and controversies over the years.

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Dress Code Controversy

In 2020, hundreds of parents picketed the school and blocked a major road in Dhaka protesting the decision of making Islamic dress optional for students.

Allegations of Corruption

Separate allegations emerged against Shahanara Begum, principal of the Banasree branch, involving the collection of unauthorized fees from guardians during admissions, reportedly totaling around Tk 50 crore through a syndicate demanding Tk 2-3 lakh per student without receipts or legitimate justification. These practices, decried by parents as exploitative, effectively commodified access to preferential or quota-based seats, which are intended to operate without capitation fees under national education regulations prohibiting commercial transactions in public or registered private admissions.

Student Protests

In July 2024, during the nationwide quota reform movement, students from Ideal School and College in Dhaka's Rampura area participated in protests against government job quotas, which escalated into violent clashes with security forces.

Sexual Harassment Allegations

In a 2025 case at the Motijheel-Mugda branch, assistant English teacher Tawhida Kabir filed a sexual harassment complaint on February 23 against Islamic studies teacher Mohammad Shafiqul Islam Khan, alleging misconduct during school hours.

Contributions to Education

Ideal School and College has significantly contributed to Bangladesh's educational sector through its sustained academic excellence, particularly in national examinations. In the 2008 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations, the institution achieved the highest number of students attaining a perfect GPA of 5.0 nationwide, demonstrating its effectiveness in preparing students for rigorous assessments. Similarly, in 2009, it recorded the highest aggregate GPA among all schools in the country.

Governing Body

The Governing body members are elected for 3 years by vote. Elections for parent and teacher members occur every three years, involving voting by eligible guardians and staff to ensure stakeholder representation, though the chairman is often nominated or selected by consensus among founders or major donors. As of 2025, the chairman is S. M.

Scout and Guide Activities

Ideal School and College has an active scout and guide program. It is the 2nd platoon of Alpha Company, 4 Ramna Battalion. The school has a cub and two girl scout team. The Rovers Scout Group is named âPRANTIKâ which means "expectations". They regularly participate in different national and international Scout events.

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