The origin of the National Boys’ and Girls’ Educational Society (NBGES) traces its roots to the establishment of the now legendary 156-year-old educational institution, popularly known as Lady Sivaswami School. Founded by the Maharaja of Vizianagaram, His Highness Sri Vijayaram Gajapathi Maharaja in 1869, Lady Sivaswami School was first named “The Vizianagaram Maharaja’s Hindu Girls’ School.” In the early days there were classes only up to Standard II and they were housed in a small, rented building on North Mada Street, Mylapore.

In 1904, the school was renamed “The Mylapore Girls’ School.” The then committee acquired the site where the present building stands. The school was moved to its own building in 1910, and its name was changed to “The Vizianagaram Rani’s School.”

In 1918, the Committee handed over the school to the Theosophical Education Trust then known as the National University of Adyar. Dr. Annie Besant, known for the Home Rule Movement, took the school under her wings. The same year, Dr. Sarojini Naidu, the Nightingale of India, christened the school as “The National Girls’ School” Under Dr. Besant, the School took a leap forward and expanded in many directions. Sites adjacent to the school were acquired in 1919. The school was recognized by the Government as an Elementary School with classes I to V. In quick succession, Forms I to III were added. In 1922, it received recognition from the Government as Lower Secondary School. During 1924-25, the school became a full-fledged High School, and the first batch of students was presented for the SSLC examination in 1926.

In 1930, Dr. Annie Besant entrusted the management of the School to Sir P. S. Sivaswami Ayyar, a well-known advocate, and an educationist. A Committee consisting of several influential persons was constituted on 15th March 1930 with Sir P. S. Sivaswami Ayyar, as President. This committee decided to formally register the school as a registered Society under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 called “The National Girls’ Education Society” on 24th of November 1930.

At a time when the school was in dire need of funds to sustain its activities, Sir P. S. Sivaswami Ayyar sold its palatial bungalow ‘Sudharma’ on the then Edward Elliots Road (presently Dr Radhakrishnan Salai) and donated the proceeds to the school, himself opting to spend the rest of his life in a small, rented house. After his passing away, in recognition of this noble gesture, the school was renamed as “Lady Sivaswami Ayyar Girls’ High School”, a name that would eminently perpetuate the names of Sir Sivaswami Ayyar and that of his beloved wife Smt. Kalyani Sivaswami Ayyar. In 1978, the school was elevated as Higher Secondary School.

On the 125th Birth Anniversary of Sir Sivaswami Ayyar, the society decided to set another milestone by establishing “Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya Senior Secondary School,” a CBSE school in June 1989 in the commemorative building named “Sudharma”, near the premises of Lady Sivaswami School. Since the new school was established as a coeducational institution, the society was renamed “The National Boys’ and Girls’ Education Society.”

On 17th July 2000, the society also started a Higher Secondary School named “Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya Higher Secondary School” at Mandaveli, where currently “The Radha Swamy Center for Excellence” is housed. In the year 2020, to facilitate expansion of lower classes, the school was shifted to East Mada Street adjacent to the premises of Lady Sivaswami School. This third school is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year.

Under the leadership of its current president Sri. Srinivasan K. Swamy, Executive Group Chairman, R. K. Swamy, Ltd., NBGES and its managing committee members are actively involved with all three schools and have taken numerous strides to bring the schools together under its auspices, organizing common events such as “Paattum Bharathamum,” “Bharatiyar Day,” “Teachers’ Day,” “Thyagaraja Aradhanai,” and other special functions which facilitate interactions among the students and staff at all three institutions.

Another notable initiative is the introduction of “Future Leaders” Programme where at least six competent girls are selected every year from Govt aided schools in Chennai and given all training and facilities including payment of fees and other cost to make them leaders of tomorrow. Further the committee has taken many new initiatives to recognize and incorporate contemporary teaching technologies in its schools, including installation of smart interactive boards in all class rooms, facilities for experiential learning, while simultaneously striving to keep our culture and traditions thriving with value-based education at its core. NBGES has recently embarked on a greener journey and a cleaner sustainable future by installing solar panels on its schools’ rooftops, pioneering this initiative in education. Since November 2024, its three schools are fully running on solar power.

NBGES takes pride in its great lineage and is keen on continuing its rich legacy