HISTORY OF TNA

Until 1955, there were only three graduate teachers in the staff. They were Mr BN Singh, a post-graduate (the only MA in the state and thus nicknamed MA Sir), Mr EG Menon and Mr PB Chakraborty. For a few years, Sanskrit was taught as a language subject.

Except the Headmaster and the hostel superintendent, all other teachers stayed outside the campus.

In 1956, the Government of Sikkim felt the need for improving the status of the school and appointed Mr VN Langer (MA (English), M.A. (Economics), LL.B.L.T., a Housemaster from Daly College, Indore) as Principal. The school was given a measure of autonomy by the Government so that Mr Langer would be able to shape the school according to his ideas and ideals.

The school began progressing ahead under his able guidance. Teaching aids were bought and a temporary Science Laboratory was set up in a classroom.

In 1958, a new two-storied building (the main school building) was built to accommodate more students. It was in this year that India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the school and addressed the students.

By and by, co-curricular activities were introduced and many qualified teachers appointed for effective teaching.

The school was divided into four houses, namely A, B, C and D. Later, these houses were named Phensong, Karponang, Yuksam and Zongri at the suggestion of Mr PB Chakraborty.

As days rolled by, the school began to hum with various co-curricular activities such as inter-house elocutions, debates, dramas and sports.

Mr Langer introduced a monthly school news bulleting to highlight school activities for the information of the public, with its editors as Mr PB Chakraborty and Mr AK Pradhan.

Every year, a gala cultural function and inter-house sports were held before winter vacation with enthusiasm and gaiety. Mr Johnson Isaacs and his colleagues usually organised the sports activities.

In 1960, a step for the Academy’s progress was taken by having the school auditorium built for performance of cultural programs. Prior to 1960, co-curricular activities were conducted in the hall upstairs in one of the old stone buildings.

Probably in the same year, the school was upgraded to Higher Secondary School and laboratory equipment was bought.

Every year it was found the many boys in each class were without books almost up to mid-session. And what a contrast between today and bygone days regarding supply of students’ text books; today the Academy has its own co-operative store to provide essential items to students on payment.