Historical Sketch of St. Joseph’s High School
St. Joseph’s High School, an institution which prepares boys for the Cambridge School Certificate Examination, is conducted by the Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross, with the assistance of other interested and dedicated teachers.
In March, 1954, Brother Jude opened the new St. Joseph’s with four students and one classroom located at the present Brothers’ residence. The following year, a single-storied building was constructed by Brother Andrew at the Shah Shahib Lane property. In 1960, a second storey was added and the enrollment of the school rose to 269.
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The Narinda School,
constructed by Brother Andrew, C.S.C., has been housing both
St. Joseph’s School of Industrial trade and. St. Joseph’s
High School since 1954.
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In 1963, nine years after opening, the school was sufficiently developed to enable two major accomplishments to take place, both of which were to bring Brother Jude’s original idea closer to realization. In October of that year, to accommodate increased enrollment, Brother Fulgence began work on a new school complex in Mohammedpur. In November of the same year, the first class of boys from St. Joseph’s sat for the Cambridge Examinations. Last year, eleven boys took the examinations: seven placed in the First Division, three in the Second Division, and one in the Third Division. These first two graduating classes have given not a little confidence and encouragement to the present Josephites.
Despite challenging conditions, St. Joseph’s and its various activities continue to develop. Though presently in a state of transition, July of this year will see a new development when all the classes will be shifted to the new school in Mohammedpur.
At this site there will be two classroom buildings, a Brothers’ residence, and ample space for sports. The school buildings will consist of an administration block, eighteen classrooms, two laboratories, a library, and an auditorium, providing sufficient space for a total enrollment of 700 students.
Development of other activities has also increased over the years. Josephites have taken first places in the Cambridge Examinations, as well as local and international essay competitions, education contests, and science fair competitions. Realizing the importance of development of the whole individual, due emphasis is placed on physical exercise, especially by participation in local athletic programmes.
Contemporary St. Joseph’s, a fulfillment of Brother Jude’s pioneering work, presents a school of which the teachers, parents, and students can be pleased – with the past accomplishments, with the present achievements, and with the growth and development that is continually taking place.
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The Brothers’ Community was founded in France by the Reverend Father James Dujarie in 1820 and combined with the Community of Priests founded by the Reverend Father Basil Moreau. The union of the two societies took place in 1837 under the title of The Congregation of Holy Cross.
Today there are 1,826 Brothers of Holy Cross staffing seventy-nine schools in East Pakistan, Africa, Italy, France, South America, Canada, and the United States of America. In East Pakistan alone, there are forty-four Brothers conducting twelve schools.
Source: School Magazine, 1965
