St. Paul’s English Medium School (CBSE)
Kovur is a small Town, located 8 kilometers North of Nellore City, Andhra Pradesh. On February 19, 1980, the first community of Bethlemite sisters arrived here. They were housed in St. Paul’s English Medium School, which was then under the management of Nellore Diocese. The Bethlemite sisters dedicated their lives to live the Gospel values as set before them through the charism and spirituality of their Founders, Holy Brother Pedro Betancourt and Blessed Mother Maria Encarnacion Rosal. The sisters devoted themselves to work among the people here to better their lives and to preserve their hopes of a bright future, by engaging themselves in the education ministry for the local children.
There was, then, no other school in the locality, with English language, as medium of instruction. At the time of the handover of the management of the school to the Bethlemite sisters, only a few children were attending the school and were enrolled in pre-KG, LKG, UKG and up to the 3rd standard. Through their strident and dedicated efforts, the Bethlemite sisters succeeded in raising it to a High School. Since the old building could not accommodate the increasing numbers, it was demolished and, in 1993, a new building was constructed in its place. Over the years, many additions were made to the existing structure. The imposing two storied and two winged building has all the latest facilities. The fore-ground is used as an assembly area and a spacious playground.
It is an unaided co-education school and comes under the Board of Secondary Education, Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP). Wholesome education and overall development of the child deeply rooted in Indian culture and ethos, through academics, extra-curricular activities and sports had been its loftiest aims. Students have achieved meritorious and laudable results in education year after year and have won many trophies at Zonal, District and State level and a few of them had been included in the District and State level sports teams. The school has grown in strength steadily and rapidly over the years.
The School has been recognized by authorities and local people for the finest quality of education it imparts. Admissions are given to all, who approach the school. No distinction is made or entertained based on caste, creed, status or affiliations. It is the only school, in the entire administrative zone, managed by religious sisters. The school has employed excellent, dedicated and well-qualified teaching staff. The support staff have contributed in equal measure in turning it into a renowned institution. Over the years, infrastructure has been augmented and several latest facilities have been added to make it more current and vibrant.
Through their unique attitudes of joy, humility, hospitality and affability, the Bethlemite Sisters have made their presence felt by one and all. Though teaching of religion has been objected to by the local fundamental religious and political leaders, the Sisters continue to teach sound moral values along with prescribed syllabus. The Sisters take great pride and pleasure in the overall development of the child rather than in their mere academic qualifications and achievements. The children are taught and encouraged to live in harmony with the environment, the society and the universe by upholding highest moral values. We involve the children in all the celebrations and festivities irrespective of their religious affinity and beliefs.
Children who have studied here are well settled in life and occupy high positions in society and in the corporate world. The moral values and the societal commitment our children imbibed here have kept them in good stead and have helped them to distinguish themselves in every walk of life they have chosen and are placed. We pride ourselves for having provided wings to their dreams and also for having assisted them to live up to the dreams of their parents, and the expectations of the nation and the universal society. We find purpose to our call, when they do well for themselves and the society.
Our Mother General Irma Cecilia Fuentes and her Council had proposed and directed that we adapt the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for its efficacy in imparting knowledge to the students. After much thought and planning, we have now envisaged moving from the State Board to the Central Board of Secondary Education. CBSE is an Indian national-level education regulated by the Indian Union Government. The objective is to have a comprehensive, child-focused academic education without sacrificing quality. The curriculum is more straightforward and lighter. Makes it easier for the children to change schools, particularly when parents are posted to another state. Students of CBSE are considered to be more proficient in English compared to other state board students. Many competitive exams in India are based on CBSE recommended syllabus. It provides the students equal opportunities to engage themselves in curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
We thank Our Mother General Irma Cecilia Fuentes and her Council for their forward thinking and prophetic guidance. We are confident that our sisters will put their best foot forward in implementing the CBSE syllabus for the benefit of all our students. We invoke God’s blessings and inspirations in implementing this syllabus for bettering the future of our dear students.