Computer education is compulsory at Amena-Baki Residential Model School at Chichirbandar, about 10 miles from the district headquarter.

Besides excellent academic result, students undertake environmental study tour and join tree plantation and awareness-creating campaign led by teachers. The school managing committee encourages such activities.

Last year, the school secured four talent pool scholarships out of eight in Dinajpur district.

Cultural and sports programmes are a routine affair. The International Mother Language Day, Independence Day, Victory Day and such other national events are observed in a befitting manner, which earned appreciation from people of all walks of life in the area.

At the Independence Day art competition held at the district town this year, students of this school won the first, second and third prizes. Such achievements are common for them.

Opened on January 29, 2001, the school became reputed in the district only in three years. Former Chief Justice ATM Afzal had opened the school.

It has 400 students on roll from class one to seven, 60 per cent of them boys. Eighty of them are resident students.

Classes up to ten will be opened soon, the school authorities told this correspondent during a recent visit.

"We face heavy rush of admission seekers every year but we can not take in students till we expand the facilities", its principal Mizanur Rahman said.

The school is run by Amena-Baki Foundation, set up by freedom fighter and orthopaedic surgeon Prof Dr. Amjad Hossain after his father and mother. Prof Hossain is the head of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Department at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Health Advisor to Bangladesh Freedom Fighter Welfare Trust.

"This has become possible due to dedicated service and joint efforts of 19 teachers led by the Foundation's Education Director Shamsul Haque and the school's principal Mizanur Rahman", Prof Dr. Hossain told this correspondent. Shamsul Haque is former vice-principal of Dhaka Residential Model School and College.

Prof Hossain explained the teaching method. Students of a class are divided into groups, having 19 to 25 in each. One teacher is responsible for academic and extra-academic performance of one group. Teachers devote extra time for students who are weak in any subject. The school authorities supply free food to students and teachers during coaching in the evening.

The syllabuses from class one to seven include the usual national curriculums and other things to make those close to international standard, he said.

Students are taught cleanliness and sanitation. The result was seen on the spruced up campus. All the students were tidily dressed.

The school management gives special emphasis on communal harmony.