St Joseph’s Hr Sec. School, Viswema, Nagaland (Estd: 1974)

It was the initiative of Jesuit pioneer Fr Stanislaus Coelho S.J, a Jesuit Missionary from Karnataka Province to begin an English medium school in Viswema. The villagers were open to the idea of English education and generously donated land for the same. The school was formally opened on 19th March 1974 and dedicated to St. Joseph the Worker.

Bethany sisters came to be part of the school in 1977. At that time, the school had reached up to class 2 with 80 students on the roll. By 1986 the school reached up to class 8 with 450 students on roll. The first batch of students appeared for class 8 board examination in 1986 with excellent results. The same batch wrote their matriculation exam in December 1989. Since high school section did not have recognition from the Board, the students appeared for their examination from John Government High School, Viswema. School received conditional recognition from the Nagaland Board of School Education in 1992, which meant that students could appear for class 10 examinations in the name of the school.

The management of St. Joseph School was transferred to Bethany sisters on 8th September 1986, from the Jesuits through the Diocese. Work on a new school building started in January 1990. The work of the new school building was completed in 1994 and blessed by Fr. Castelino S.J.
 
In 2009, the school was upgraded to higher Secondary level in Arts Stream. It necessitated construction of another wing for high secondary in the same year. It was funded by Bethany Educational Society. The new block was blessed by Fr Neisalhou Carolus and inaugurated by Rev. Sr. Wilberta, the then Superior General on 22nd October, 2010.
 
Till about the mid 90s most of the teachers were from outside Nagaland, particularly from South India, Manipur and Assam. At present teachers from the village itself and most of them are ex-students.
Sr. Noeline was the first headmistress.  Subsequent Headmistress Sr Selina, SrOrdelia, SrChrisette, SrCarol, SrSumithaSr Janet Mendonca and at present Sr Harsha assisted by a steady band of committed sisters and dedicated staff have steered the course of education with courage and vision.

Being the first High school and Hr. Sec. school of Bethany Educational Society in North East, St Joseph school has enjoyed the special love and tender care of the Province and the Generalate whose help specially financial, made it possible to keep this village school running well.  

The school caters students mostly from our village other than about a 100 children from the neighbouring villages. Our village Viswema has four government L.P Schools, one higher primary school, two high schools and a higher secondary school other than St. Joseph Hr. secondary school. The children are distributed to all these schools, therefore the enrolment always remains as between 500-550 students even after 42 years of existence.  Right from the beginning we have been recipient of help and support from the Provincialate and Generalate since the school is not self -sufficient due to low enrolment. We remain grateful to our past and present, Superiors General and Provincial Superiors and their team, Bethany Educational Society Mangalore and BES Guwahati for every help.

Sr Therese Rothangpuii BS
Local Manager

Sr Lusy Gonmei BS
Principal

 Staff

X -Outgoing Students

PUC-Outgoing Students

School Building

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