The school in Rajkot where Mahatma Gandhi studied - the 164-year-old Alfred High School - is being shut down to make way for a museum.

Last year, the Rajkot municipal corporation had sent a proposal to the Gujarat government to convert the school, also known as Mohandas Gandhi High School after its most famous alumnus, into a museum. The proposal has now been accepted.

"We have started issuing school leaving certificates to the students, who can now secure admission in any school of their preference for the next academic year," district education officer Reva Patel said.

Gandhi graduated from the school in 1887 at the age of 18.

The state government had asked the education department to start the process of handing over the school building to the Rajkot corporation, municipal commissioner B.N. Pani said.

"We have hired a consultant to carry out the work of converting this building into a museum at a cost of Rs 10 crore. This museum would showcase the life and times of Gandhiji, Sardar Patel and many other prominent personalities," Pani said.

The school, earlier known as Rajkot High School, was founded on October 17, 1853. Its present building was constructed by the Nawab of Junagadh in 1875 and the school was later renamed after Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh. After India's Independence, the school got yet another name - Mohandas Gandhi High School.#

But the school does not have a great record. A few years ago, none of its 60-odd students were able to clear the Class X board exam.
(PTI)