About Us
On the occasions when we contemplate on how to best educate the less privileged socio-economic communities of India, the magnitude of the task becomes apparent. When all is said and done, it is evident that what demands to be accomplished is not merely education, or avenues of wealth-creation, or the evolution of a dynamic leadership, but- even if it appears a grandiose initiative- a whole social re-engineering. When Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon, he famously said, ‘One small step of man, one giant leap for mankind.’ That small first step needs to be taken; regardless of whether success is assured or otherwise, whether it is a step or a leap, it is the firmest commitment of the trust that the task of taking the communities towards prosperity and good living shall be the guiding philosophy of all activity. REFAI PUBLIC SCHOOL functions under the aegis of REFAI ACADEMY AND WELFARE TRUST.
WHY REFAI ACADEMY & WELFARE TRUST ?
The aim and mission of The Refai Foundation is to work tirelessly to advance education for the poor and help relieve financial hardship and suffering around the world. Our objective is to empower poor communities with tools to build a better future for them and help break the cycle of poverty through meaningful education, better health and self-subsistence. Established for the education of the poor and needy communities of rural India, the Refai Public School, Boru is the first of fifteen schools proposed to be established in the rural districts of the state of Gujarat in India
The school is affiliated to the Gujarat State Education Board, with classes presently running from Nursery to class VIII; a higher class becomes functional every year.
The pre-school section of the school was established in a leased premises in Boru village in Gujarat in 2012. In 2014, the trust acquired 16,000 sq. meters of land to house its own buildings, with a plan to set up the school in two stages. The first phase of construction to house the pre-school and the primary school is complete and operational since April 2016.
The execution of the second phase of expansion to cover the Middle School and High School shall be undertaken in due course of time.
Vital Statistics
Saiyed Moinuddin K. Refai
Managing Trustee, Refai Academy and Welfare Trust
Dear benefactors,
As with everything else, the Purists and the Pragmatists in education have little to agree on the definition of education, whether there is universality in its application and objectives, and the implications of those objectives. To the Pragmatists the one single yardstick of their curriculum driven, exam oriented existence is the placement of their students- both educationally and occupationally. The purists consider such outcomes incremental. To them education is a multi-faceted subject, and really exists beyond its primary raison d’etre of providing learning and knowledge to their wards; it becomes a constantly- evolving principle of grooming, nurturing, and enabling every new generation in areas more than just academic.
As with everything else, the Purists and the Pragmatists in education have little to agree on the definition of education, whether there is universality in its application and objectives, and the implications of those objectives. To the Pragmatists the one single yardstick of their curriculum driven, exam oriented existence is the placement of their students- both educationally and occupationally. The purists consider such outcomes incremental. To them education is a multi-faceted subject, and really exists beyond its primary raison d’etre of providing learning and knowledge to their wards; it becomes a constantly- evolving principle of grooming, nurturing, and enabling every new generation in areas more than just academic.
And yet, healthy minds need healthy bodies. If the school is invigorating, the body of infrastructure needs to also nourish. The infrastructure must assist in the overall purpose of imparting education, classrooms and corridors cannot crowd its students, playgrounds must permit sports, libraries and laboratories must aid in the assimilation of learning and most importantly the teaching staff must be competent and dedicated for they are the primary pillar on which the school stands. It is a matter of pride that Refai Public School more than excels in all these parameters, another indicator that the school remains veritably faithful to the vision and mission of its founders. And yet, the management understands the wisdom in ‘making haste slowly’. The school building grows in phases, and the upgradation of infrastructure remains a consequence of needs and means. The trustees and management of the school remain indebted to all its patrons and donors without whom the rural children of the villages would not be able to access the quality of education that the school imparts. It is a constant prayer for me that I remain a faithful keeper of their faith, and an honest and able trustee of the funds they have entrusted to me; equally so, I pray that their help and favour is there for the school whenever the needs arise.
– Saiyed Moinuddin K. Refai
Managing Trustee
Refai Academy and Welfare Trus
From The Principal's Desk
At the outset as I express my sincere gratitude to the Management, I also thank my predecessors for all the efforts put in to ignite the torch of education.
What use of knowledge and education if it’s not meant to be employed for the good of mankind?
Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire!
I look forward to grooming the young saplings into mature and responsible intellectuals. It is definitely not a bed of roses to meet the billows of time, but with the whole hearted cooperation of you dear well wishers, parents and staff many an obstacle can be overcome and many a milestone achieved.
Great oaks from little acorns grow. We can positively and successfully move up the rung of success only with a sound base and optimistic thought processes.
We cannot expect to bring a wholistic change if humanity is imprisoned by the shackles of their own narrow thoughts while the world marches on progressively with broad widening thoughts and actions.
Mrs. Iona D’Lyma
Principal, Refai Public School
Seeds and plants well nurtured will yield good blossoms and rich and sturdy fruit. Refai Public School is stealthily growing from infancy to adolescence, the toughest years of growing to men. Our sole purpose of endeavour is to fructify and produce good yield. We strive to live up to Tagore’s dream of achieving without fear, nurturing a clear and sound mind, bright with knowledge resting on a sturdy body, cleansing away the dark clouds of ignorance, egoism and selfishness to make the Campus a living haven of peace and harmony.
We strive to clear away the cobwebs that entangle us in misconceptions, that deprive us of the breath of life and devote our efforts towards progress and achievement through Education. It is difficult to comprehend the challenges we face and point a finger until and unless one is hands on on the mission we are so sincerely and devoutedly committed to. It will take time, Rome was not built in a day, but I know with your unconditional love and support we will achieve
The 21st century has dawned with its new, drastic and unimaginable upheavels and we are ever so grateful to you and the Management for providing the tablets to the children and staff to cure the online hassels and catch up with the on going race to explore new horizons with ferver. On this note I take leave of you in the hope that cooperation and achievement will walk hand in hand, make the atmosphere pleasurable and the functioning an experience for those who choose to be associated with us. We look forward to your continuous support today and may this synergy of a mission between us last forever.
Forever grateful,I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Iona D’Lyma
Our Team
