Baral Vidyaniketan in Pabna District Wins International Architecture Award

Baral Vidyaniketan School, located in Kumarpara village of Chatmohar, was established by Mizanur Rahman and his wife, Dil Afroze Begum, as an eco-friendly school with a mission to improve educational access for rural children. Initially teaching students in their home, the couple formally opened the school in 2019 as enrollment grew. Starting in a tin structure with 30 students, the school has since expanded, thanks to architect Iqbal Habib, who designed a sustainable school building in 2023. This new design emphasizes natural light, ventilation, and an open environment that connects students with nature. Baral Vidyaniketan promotes joyful learning, offering a curriculum that includes academics, arts, music, and computer literacy. Today, the school serves 281 students from grades one to six, operating with low fees supplemented by the founders and contributions from Iqbal Habib’s family and friends. With plans to become self-sustaining, Baral Vidyaniketan envisions offering residential facilities for students from distant areas. The school’s unique design has received international acclaim, winning awards from the American Institute of Architects for its aesthetic and functional excellence.