The Shirin Dinyar Irani Learners Academy received the Best School, Palghar, award from Star Education 2024, in association with the Maharashtra Ministry of Education. The school, located on Sam Nariman Road in Dahanu, is run by the Yzad Education Trust, established in 1991 and registered under the Public Trust Act. It is devoted to educational, social and cultural development in Dahanu taluka. The Massachusetts, USA based Star Awards are presented by the Investment Management Education Alliance (IMEA), a leading trade group dedicated to advancing investor management industry, informed Banoogoshasp Irani, vice president of the trust.
The English medium school was started by a small group of like-minded people in the growing town, largely known for its horticulture, in particular the growing of chikoos. Finance came from friends, well-wishers and parents, the principal donor being Shirin Dinyar Irani, a childless widow who gave five acres of land to the trust. The institution has been named after her. In addition to Banoogoshasp, the managing committee comprises president Pervez Irani, secretary Burzin Sukheshwala and treasurer Katy Irani.
As its website mentions, the institution started from a temporary location in a building in Kety Nagar, with one student in Std I. The following year saw the addition of a Nursery, Junior and Senior Kindergarten along with Stds I, II and V.
Above, clockwise from l: Dr Kanwaljeet Kaur presenting award to principal
Preeti Thakkar; classroom; donor Shirin Irani; Dahanu’s Shirin Dinyar Irani Learners Academy
Construction for the new structure which now houses the school began in 1993. The first wing had 18 classrooms. The Zoroastrians of Hong Kong funded the next phase, another wing with a basement. There are 28 classrooms, a library, two science laboratories, one computer laboratory, and rooms for audio-visuals, art and physical training.
Presently there are 40 teachers, one of whom is a Zoroastrian. Students number 828 with eight Zoroastrians. There are classes from playgroup to Std X. In 1998 the first batch of 10 students appeared for the Secondary School Certificate examination. There are plans for a junior college.