St Joseph the Worker Higher Primary School, Vamanjoor

Forty years ago, the hilltop area of Vamanjoor was a barren land, feared by passersby and deserted by many. Gradually, a few houses began to appear here and there. It was during this time that the missionary Sisters of the Queen of the Apostles (SRA), a religious congregation, courageously took up the challenge and pitched their tent in Vamanjoor with a clear and committed mission of education.

As the years passed, people began to settle in the area and houses sprang up steadily. One of the most pressing needs for the socio-economic development of Vamanjoor was the establishment of a Primary School. Recognising this necessity, the parish community, under the able leadership of the then Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Edwin Pinto, initiated a school in a small hall at Kiran Centre, Vamanjoor.

The SRA Sisters joyfully came forward to support and carry forward this educational mission. The Dharmajyothi Charitable Society, managed by the SRA Sisters under the directress Sr Maria Goretti, made tireless efforts to raise funds with the generous support of benefactors. Through these efforts, a strong and lasting school building was constructed, which continues to serve generations of students even today.

The responsibility of constructing the school building was shouldered mainly by Rev. Fr Cyprian Coelho. Amidst many trials and challenges, the school received permission from the Education Department of Karnataka on 4th February 1986. Under the patronage of St Joseph the Worker, the school was inaugurated on 2nd June 1986. This year, the institution proudly celebrates its Ruby Jubilee.

Fr Bonaventure Nazareth worked with determination to obtain Government Aid for the teachers. Since then, countless students have received the light of knowledge through this institution. To date, 33 batches of students have successfully passed out from this educational portal.

This journey has been made possible through the cooperation and support of parishioners, teachers who rendered free service, kind-hearted donors, benefactors, well-wishers, and the goodwill of the local people and various organisations who have continuously guided and supported the school.

The school imparts value-based education, encouraging students to excel in academics, extracurricular activities, and sports. The institution is equipped with sufficient classrooms, a large hall, playground, water facilities, toilets, public addressing system, telephone, smart TVs, computers, and other essential amenities to meet students’ needs.

The major challenge faced by the school today is the ban on appointments to aided posts. Currently, the school has only 3 staff members serving 106 students. Due to financial constraints in paying honorary teachers and the inability to collect fees from students belonging to economically weaker backgrounds, the school is unable to increase admissions.

We gratefully acknowledge the power of the Almighty God, who sustains us in fulfilling the objectives of this institution. We also express our deep gratitude to our patron, St Joseph the Worker, who has accompanied and guided us throughout the years.