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This school was established in the year 1832 by
the missionaries Margaret and John Wilson, the founders of the John Wilson
Education Society (JWES). Before they arrived in India, there were no schools for
Girls in the city of Bombay, as it was then known. With the aid of the JWES, Margaret
Wilson established this school, which was, later on, accompanied by the Wilson College. Margaret Wilson, wife of Dr. John Wilson, Missionary from Scotland started St.
Columba School in Girgaum with just 6 girl students in 1832. She wrote in 'Darpan', a
contemporary Marathi newspaper that girls' education is of great importance as it respects
the moral and intellectual progress of our country.
St. Columba was a Saint in Scotland in the years A.D. 521-597.
Margart
Wilson (Margaret Bayne), was born on 5th November 1795. Indebted to Divine Grace, for
her intellectual and spiritual endowments, she was enabled to consecrate them in a rare
degree to the service of the redeemer, in the instruction of the natives of this country,
through the medium of their own languages. She laboured for six years with a zeal,
devotion and perseverance, the most exemplary, as a wife, a mother, a sister, and friend.
She ever exhibited the greatest tenderness and affection. Her character had secured the
respect and admiration of many acquaintances. She died on 19th April, 1835 in the joyful
anticipation of an abundant entrance into the presence of her saviour. And the excitement
of the saying that is written,
At the beginning, the school did not receive much response, due to the orthodox beliefs that girls did not have a right to education. But with the advent of social reforms, more girls began to attend school, and now, 166 years later, the St. Columba School boasts of more than 1800 students, over 35 classrooms, other special classrooms, sports facilities and courts, a staff of over 50 teachers, and other non-teaching staff.
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