History

In the year of 1862, Jesuit missionary Father Maglower Barthe established a school named ‘Ecole de Sainte Marie’ (St. Mary’s Institution) in the French colony of Chandernagore – a beautiful hamlet by the river Ganges in Bengal Province in India. Bengali and French languages used to be taught there and at the end of the course student used to appear in ‘Certificat d’Etude Primaire Elémentaire’ (C.E.P.E.). Except Bengali language, the medium of instruction for all other subjects was French and the curriculum used to be in line with the same followed in France. In 1872, in view of public interest, a separate English section was introduced for teaching of English language. In the same year, the students of this institution were granted permission to appear in the entrance examination from Calcutta University.  In 1883, the French section introduced ‘Brevet Elémentaire’ syllabus.  On 15th of December, 1887, the French Government took over the administration of the school from the Missionaries. In 1891 a separate College section was introduced to confer F. A. degree. In 1894 the school was renamed ‘Ecole Publique de Garçons’. In the year of 1901, once again, the school was renamed Dupleix Collège after famous ruler of colonial France and the first Governor of Chandernagore Joseph François Dupleix.

On 27th of March, 1947, when France declared autonomy for Chandernagore, the school administration was taken over by the newly constructed Administration council. On 17th of May, 1948 the school was renamed Kanailal Vidyamandir after the great revolutionary and martyr Kanailal Dutta, the son of the soil, who was also a student of this school. In 1949, the French section was relocated to the main Collectory Building. Chandernagore Free State’s Administration Council withdrew ‘Brevet’ examination system and reintroduced CEPE exams. The French section was shifted again to Sub- Collectory building where it is situated now. On 9th of June, 1952, Chandernagore joined sovereign India and the school administration became the responsibility of the Indian Government. In the same year, a complete autonomous French section was formed and it had Sasankasekhar Baral as its first independent Director, who was the Assistant Director of the undivided administration of the school. Ever since Chandernagore became an integral part of West Bengal on 2nd of October, 1954, the school was being governed by West Bengal State Government. In 1955, once the Chandernagore Municipal Act came into being, the administration of the school was transferred to the Chandernagore Municipal Corporation. The school, affiliated to West Bengal board currently run by the Education Cell of the Chandernagore Municipal Corporation. Study in the French section can be continued up to 8th standard.  ‘Certificat’ exam is conducted by the Municipal Corporation under the supervision of French Advisory Board. Other external students can also appear in the exam.