Wat Rajabopit School
Wat Rajabopit School is a Thai public school, established 2 March 1886 (BE 2428) in the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Wat Rajabopit is a secondary school for boys with a long history. The name “Rajabopit” means "established by king".
History
The school was established as an Art Thai language school in the beginning era of Thailand’s educational system in the reign of King Rama 5. Prince Monk Arunnipakunakorn, once Somdet Budhacariya, abbot of Wat Rajabopit, had an agreement with the Department of Education, when Krom Praya Damrong Rajanubhab established the school in the year of the cock, Chula Sakarat 1247 corresponding to Rattanakosin Era 104 or B.E. 2428. The name “Wat Rajabopit School” appears in Royal Thai Government Gazette[1]
Initially the Prince allowed the school to use the upstairs of the sermon hall (in a monastery) beside the pond of Fueang Nakhon Road, which was used as storehouse for monk’s things, to be a place of education without charge. The school enrolled 53 students and 2 teachers. A Mr. Kawee was the first principal. The first student to pass Prayok1 was Pranakharase (Mongkol Amatyakul) in B.E. 2430.
Approximately 3 years later, B.E. 2431, Mr. Payom became principal. The school's popularity led to overcrowding. So, the Prince let the school move to the ground floor of his parsonage. (It is now the location of Phuchong Pratan Witthayasith 1 Building). After enrollment grew again, he let the school use 3 pavilions of the temple around the chapel and church. The school then offered only primary grades 1–4, serving 100 students and had Luang Chamnan Anusan (Rod Raktaprajitr) as principal.
References
- ↑ Royal Thai Government Gazette Volume 1, Page 139.
Coordinates: 13°44′38″N 100°29′43″E / 13.7439°N 100.4952°E