The autobiography chronicles Headmaster Jalal-ud-Din Ahmad 's odyssey from impoverished beginnings to his winning the Presidential award for the "Best Headmaster in Pakistan" in 1967, the inaugural year of the award. In the process, he recounts how he pursued secondary education through scholarships and "Jagir"(a resident-tutor who received foodand lodging in exchange of tutoring the children of the household), and continued his higher education with the help of scholarships and loans. In his professional life he faced and overcame daunting challenges posed by the powerful who wanted him to break the school rules in their favour. He dedicated his life to educating the mostly poor  students of Bangladesh. To him, the interest of his students was paramount.

His students were his top and only priority. Headmaster Jalal-ud-Din Ahmad also delves into how he practiced his teaching philosophy which eventually won him national recognition.

Contents

Foreword……………………………………………….ix

Preamble……………………………………………….xiii

Acknowledgments ………………………………..xxiii

Chapter 1: Ancestors, Childhood, and Education…………………………1

Chapter 2: Early Professional Life and Marriage………………………….37

Chapter 3: Establishing Kemal Ataturk High School

                   at Daganbhuiyan (1939-1951)…………………………………….59

Chapter 4: My Tenure at Feni High School (1951-68)……………………  95

Chapter 5: The Best Headmaster in Pakistan Award (1967) ………… 143

Chapter 6 Eventful Retirement Years (1969-92) …………………………..  211

Chapter 7 My Family, Children, Grandchildren and In-Laws………….  237

Appendix

I. Dr. Russell Faust: The Experience of a Peace Corps

Volunteer at Feni Pilot High School (1962-64)……………………………… 261

II. Influence on His Children……………………….......267

Index ………………………………………………………….......281