ไทย
Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University is an educational institution that celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1996. The institution, known as “Bansomdejchaopraya,” was established under the royal initiative of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to create an English-style public school. A committee was formed to carry out this initiative, with Chaophraya Phasakornwong, the Minister of Education, serving as chairman.
The committee decided that the residence of Somdet Chaophraya Borom Maha Sri Suriwongse (Chuang Bunnag), which had been graciously donated by Phraya Siharajdejochai, the grandson of Somdet Chaophraya, since 1890, was suitable for establishing the school. The school was named “Rajawittayalai School” and began classes on March 17, 1896. However, locals commonly referred to it as “Far Side School” or “Bansomdejchaopraya School.” The school’s emblem was a crown, and the uniform consisted of dark blue trousers and a white shirt, with Mr. A.C. Carter serving as the principal.
As education expanded, the school’s space became insufficient, leading to the relocation of Rajawittayalai School to the Phai Singto area in Pathumwan, near the Sra Pathum Palace. The residence of Somdet Chaophraya was then left vacant. At that time, there was a significant disparity in education quality between the provinces and Bangkok, primarily due to the difference in teacher quality. The Ministry of Education established a teacher training school at the residence of Somdet Chaophraya, called the “Western Teacher Training School,” to produce qualified teachers for the provinces. The school opened on May 1, 1903, with Luang Bamrung Woranian serving as the principal.
During that period, teacher training expanded significantly across various provinces, reducing the necessity for students to come to Bangkok to study at Bansomdejchaopraya. The government recognized that the existing teacher training program could be highly beneficial and should be formalized into a regular school. Consequently, the teacher training school at Thep Sirin was relocated, originally a day school, to become the “Western Teacher Training School.” Later, in 1956, Kun Vithet Darunakit became the principal, and the school was subsequently named “Bansomdejchaopraya Teacher Training School.”
In 1913, King Chulalongkorn graciously placed Bansomdejchaopraya Teacher Training School under the administration of the Civil Service College (now Chulalongkorn University). It remained at its original location until 1915 when it was relocated to Wang Mai (present-day Greenthumb Place, a national heritage site). This relocation left the residence of Somdet Chaophraya vacant once again. The government then established a secondary school at the residence of Somdet Chaophraya, naming it “Bansomdejchaopraya Secondary School.” On May 17, 1915, regular students were enrolled, and nearby schools joined as branches of this educational institution, including Wat Anong Secondary School, Sukhumvit School (located near Wat Phichaiyat), and Anong Primary School. Phraya Pramuanwichaphan served as the principal.
Bansomdejchaopraya Secondary School has been a prestigious institution since ancient times. The school colors are purple and white. The school’s abbreviation is “B.S.” Its motto is “Sajam We Mat Waja” and its emblem is the image of Sema Suriratmangala, in honor of Somdet Chaophraya Borom Maha Sri Suriyawongse. These symbols have been fundamental to Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University until the present day.
In 1955, the government constructed the Phutthamonthon Bridge (Buddha Bridge) and rerouted the road through Bansomdejchaopraya Secondary School. Consequently, the original location could no longer accommodate a school. During that period, Phraya Wisetsuphawat, who was the principal of Bansomdejchaopraya Secondary School, negotiated with the Ministry of Education to exchange facilities with Sarasit School, a smaller school with fewer students. Therefore, the former Sarasit School was transformed into Bansomdejchaopraya Secondary School, and the Ministry of Finance allocated land in Bang Sai Kai Subdistrict and the southern part of the original Sarasit School for dormitories and classrooms. Students moved to this new location starting in 1955. Since then, it has been the current location of Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University.
By 1984, the Ministry of Education policy aimed to produce more teachers, prompting the establishment of another department called “Bansomdejchaopraya Teacher Training School.” Alongside Bansomdejchaopraya Secondary School, this teacher training department enrolled students supported by provincial scholarships upon completion of their upper secondary education (Grade 6). It initially offered a primary teacher training curriculum (P.P.) as a regular school. In 1956, the department discontinued this curriculum and began offering a certificate program in educational studies and advanced certificate programs.