Versova Welfare Association High School
A meeting held in 1960 at the residence of Mr. BM Chinai-Daria Mahal was the first step. Those present adopted a Constitution and elected the first 18-member Committee of the Versova Welfare Association. Dr. N.R. Purandare was elected the first President and Mr. C. Gopalan as General Secretary of the Association.
In September 1961, the Maharashtra Housing Board allocated an open space of about 4000 sq yards in the Kakori Colony on a 99-year lease at an annual lease rent of Re. 1 per year and by charging Rs. 7 per sq yard on yearly rental basis. The amount of Rs. 1400 for rent was considered huge in those days. With no funds, the Committee could not immediately occupy the land and construct a building for the school. Therefore, the Housing Board was requested to allot temporary accommodation. Then Minister for Housing Mr. Homi J.H. Taleyarkhan and Chairman of the Housing Board, Mr. D.K. Kunte, allotted tenement No 28 in Machhlimar Colony temporarily for two years for starting the school.
On 11 June 1962, the first 19 students entered the Versova Welfare Association High School in the 5th Standard (English Medium). The school was inspected on 21 August 1962 by the State educational authorities and recognition was granted soon.
During nascent years, Mr. C.C. Desai provided valuable advice. In June 1962, Mrs. Nayana N. Bhatt was appointed in-charge of the school. She was assisted by Smt. S. Joshi and Mrs. M. Varghese. The following year, more tenements were allotted for Standards 6 to 8 in English and Marathi Medium.
For better, effective management and development of the school, VWA created VET (Versova Education Trust) by a Deed of Trust in Feb 1963 with prominent local residents as Trustees. Collection of funds was achieved by arranging various programmes, one of which was films screened on the building terrace.
As years rolled by, it became a full-fledged school with sections like KG, Primary, Secondary up to the 11th Standard. The school functioned in two shifts to accommodate the students. By the late 60’s, the existing L-shaped building with Ground and 2 floors was constructed.
Many teaching and non-teaching employees were instrumental in the development of the Institution. The longest tenure as a teacher was held by Smt. S. Vishalakshi (1965 to 2000) who retired as Principal and in the non-teaching section by Shri Janardan Alesa (1968 to 2006).
One of the pillars of the Institution was (late) Mrs. S.A.R. Hakim who was appointed the Principal in 1973. She won the National awards as the Best Teacher. After Mrs. Hakim, the school continued to progress under Mrs. Geeta Mahajan, Mrs. S. Vishalakshi, Mrs. Esther Nelson, Mrs. Pushpa Dhaktode, and Ms. Pushpa John. Ms. Neelam Bhatia, Ms. Prema Nambiar, Ms. Rachael Alexander, Ms. Vidula Khedekar, and Ms. Shilpa Talwar.
Another feather in the School’s cap was in 1999 when Mrs. F. Sayyed was decorated with the Mayor’s Awards for the Best Teacher.
By the 1980s, the school had expanded so much that for a couple of years, the neighbouring quarters were taken on rent. Later, alterations were made to house all the students under one roof. In 2000, with the help of the Diwaliben Trust, VET, the PTA of VWA, and the students, a fundraising programme was held for the construction of a new wing (the present Kamala Mehta College of Commerce under VET).
The institution has earned many laurels in academics as well as co-curricular and extra-curricular activities won by teachers and students. Various events are held regularly to generate funds for the growth and development of the Institution. A Science Exhibition in 2003 was the highlight of the activities. Nearly 60 schools from Andheri West Ward participated by displaying about 450 projects.
The Institution has provided a platform for the students to showcase their talents and discover potential. As the Institution is completing 64 years, it is proud of its over 18,000 former students. Presently, it has 3000 students in the School.
