Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, one of the premier English Medium Schools in the District of Dhemaji had a very humble beginning like any other institution.
The mission was started by Rev. Fr. John sdb in the year 1969 at Likabali. In the year 1970, at the request of the people of Silapathar and under the inspiration of the Bishop of Tezpur, Rt Rev. Joseph Mittathany, Fr. John Palathungal, a priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco started the school in a thatched shed with 28 students and two members on the staff. Fr. John SDB continued to serve the institution till 1973. In 1973, Fr. Varghese Kalarickal, a diocesan priest was appointed as the principal. It was during his time the first Assam type building and the presbytery were constructed. The school began to take shape during those period with the increase of the number of the students. He guided and enlightened the people of the various need and problems of the mission. In the beginning year of the mission two group of sisters rendered their service in the parish. The first group was the missionary sisters of Mary Immaculate and the other, sisters of the Imitation of Christ. In 1975, Bethany Sisters of Thruvalla joined the staff. The year 1976 was a memorable for the missionaries of St. Francies De Sales because it was in that year that Rt. Rev. Joseph Mittathany was the Bishop of Tezpur entrusted the mission of Silapathar to our care and he helped us in various ways for the growth of the mission.
The school began either request of the people of silapathar and under the inspiration of the then Bishop of Tezpur Rt. Joseph Mittathany in a thatched shed with 28 students and two members on the staff. Catholic Mission at Silapathar is the first mission in Dhemaji District of Assam.It was started by the Salesians in 1970 and was taken over by the Diocese of in 1973. From 1976 onwards we the MSFS are working here. It was served the people in various fields through many fathers, brothers and sisters for the years. This is one of the permanents centers for us.
In July 1976 Fr. Abraham Kuttiankal a priest belonging to the Missionaries of St. Francis de sales (M.S.F.S’s), was appointed as the principal. That was the starting point of M.S.F.S’s work here at Silapathar. The response of the people had not been very encouraging from the initial days of the mission. Often the people looked at the missionaries with suspicion. It was a happy and decisive moment for Fr. Abraham Kuttiankal to take charge of an old mission, which had its own unresolved problems. In the same year Fr. Mathew Kavithazha was appointed on the staff.
In 1977 Fr. S.L.Paul came after his work and studies in U.S.A and was appointed as the parish priest of Silapathar and Fr. Abraham Kuttiankal went as the assistant parish priest of Kumrikatta parish. In 1979 due to some unavoidable reasons the Bethany Sisters left Silapathar for good. In 1980 Fr. S.L.Paul left for U.S.A.During his tenure he tried to stabilize the institution and extended the school building.Frs. Abraham and Matthew were transferred. Bro. Kuriakose was appointed in the same year on the staff. From June to November 1977 Fr. Stephen Marayikulam(sr) too was here at the center.
In 1977, Fr. Stephen Marayikulam assisted in the parish of Silapathar for the short period, prior to his appointment in the parish of Mazbath. In 1977 Bro. Kuriakose Mundackal came to assist Fr. S.L. Paul in the administration of the school. Fr. Varkey Valiedath too was in the Silapathar mission from 1978 before the starting of Dhemaji mission. Silapathar remained hostile to the missioners for a long time. Eviction notices had been served by the civil authorities at the instigation of the people and the missionaries bore it with courage. Gradually they managed to secure patta for the mission land. In July 1980 Fr. Augustine Vellarankuzhy was appointed as the principal and continued till October 1981. It was during his period the first batch of Matriculation students were prepared. Then for a brief period Fr. Varkey Valiadeth managed the affairs of the school from Dhemaji. In December 1981, Fr.Stephen Marayikulam (sr)was appointed as the manager of the school and Fr.Varkey continued to manage the school from Dhemaji till April 1982 In 1981 Fr.Stephen Marayikulam was appointed as the parish priest with Fr. Varkey Valiedath as the principal of the school, from 1982 to 1984, Bro. K.V. Joseph looked after the school. In May 1982, Bro.K.V. Joseph was appointed as the principal and remained at the helm till the end of 1983. He was a lover of nature. It was his interest to bring up plants along with ‘human plants’. In 1984, Fr. John Edacherry Pauvath took charge of the school and from 1985, he was also the parish priest assisted by Bro. George Ettackakunnel until 1986. In 1987, Fr. Jose Thenganakunnel took charge of the Centre and was assisted by Fr. Joseph Chackala until 1988.
In 1984, Fr.John E. Pauvath came as the principal. The next year Holy cross Sisters began to serve the people of this area by joining the staff of the school. In the same year Bro. George Ettakakunnel too joined the team.During this period under the able guidance of Fr. Stephen the boys hostel was completed. Fr. John started the parent’s day celebration in a grand scale. Facility for pure drinking water was started during this period. In December 1985, Fr. Stephen was transferred and Fr. John continued to serve the institution. In 1986 Fr. joseph Chackalackal was appointed on the staff. Fr. John was transferred in the year 1987. Then Fr. Jose Thenganakunnel took up the task to be at the helm of the school. Fr. Sebastian Neendukunnel too was on the staff for some time. In 1988 the school had the privilege to felicitate Rt. Rev. Robert Kerketta, the Bishop of Tezpur and Rev. Fr. Abraham Mullenkuzhy, the then provincial of the North East Province, on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of their ordinations. In the same year the school gave a warm reception to very Rev.Fr.Emile Mayoraz, the Superior General of the M.S.F.S, on his visit to Silapathar. During this period the K.G section building was made pukka and a village school building was constructed at Bijoypur. In 1989 in place of Fr. Joseph Chackalackal, Fr. Vijoy Velikakath was appointed on the staff. In 1990 Fr. Jose was elected to head as the Province and in his place Fr. George Kunnel appointed as the Principal.In 1991 Fr. Vijoy was transferred and in 1992 Fr. Lukose Kavungal was appointed in his place. During this period extension was taken up and construction of the church was completed. Computer science was introduced in the school. A lot of other student oriented programme were taken up in spite of the hostile atmosphere prevailed.
In 1994, Fr. Job Karikkampally was appointed as the principal in the place of Fr. George Kunnel who was then transferred to Nagaland. A very beautiful Church was built and consecrated. Fr. Job Karickampally took charge of the parish in 1994, and was assisted by Fr.Emmanuel Mappilaparampil, Fr. Emmanuel mappilaparambil joined the staff in June 1994. In august 1994, Fr. Lukose was transferred. To meet the growing needs of the institution Fr.Bernard Sangma joined the team in 1995 and began the extensive touring of the village of Arunachal Pradesh. With the sisters of the Cross-under the leadership of Sr. Gracy Sundar and the team of dedicated staff, is working hard towards the growth of the institution. Fr. Jiji Konthananickal joined the team when Fr. Emmanuel Mappilaparampil was transferred in 1996.
The team in collaboration with the sisters of the Cross-under the leadership pf Sr. Gracy Sundar and the team of dedicated staff are working hard towards rhe growth of the institution.
Fr. Jiji Konthananickal joined the team when Fr. Emmanuel was transferred Fr. Tomy Monnanapally came to assist the mission. After that Fr. Shaibu Ezanikkat became the assistant Parish Priest. When he was transferred Fr. George Vadakkepericherimannil became the Vice principal. And after thet Fr. Joseph Pazeveettil became the Vice principal.
In the year 1998, Fr. Kurian Oveli was appointed as the principal. In the year 2000, Fr. Jose Mamalasseryil took charge the great responsibility of the school, when he left South Africa Fr. Varghese Chettupuza became the principal of the school in the year 2004. At present Fr. George vadakkepericherimannil as the principal from the year 2007 onwards and Fr. saji Tharayil as the Vice Principal of the school from the year 2008 onwards.
One of the Primary concerns of this center as the Arunachal Apostolate. The present personnel here head to face one of the tough periods of work in Arunachal. Due to the hurdles we must acknowledge that we could not do much with regards to the Arunachal Apostolate. Now it has grown into a mighty institution in parting sound education to 1450 students with the help of a dedicated team of 36 Teachers on the staff. Since 1976, the school is efficiently managed by the Missonaries of St. Francis De Sales (MSFS) with the Assistant of the Sisters of the Cross-of chavanod.
The list of name who rendered their valuable services to the institution will be incomplete without mentioning the names of the brothers in regency. They were Bros. Abraham, Job Karikkampally, Chacko Varapadavil, Johnson Manjaly, Joseph Chakalackal, Philip Thomas, Johny Kuttikottayil, Jose Pallathu, Jose Mamalazery, Jose Karipadathu, Athanas Kerketta, Benny Marangoly and X. Antony Avittapallil Bro. Shaju Ambil Bro Lijish Kaduthalath. We also gratefully acknowledge the services of all the sisters especially Srs. Shanti, Elsy Francis and Teresa Martin who animated the team of sisters at various times.
Don Bosco English Medium Higher Secondary School is well known as a reputed institution. The aim of the institution is to impart in its pupils a sound, moral, intellectual and physical education so that students are prepared for personal and social responsibility and enlightened leadership. Education imparted at Don Bosco School aims at “opening mind” and pursue excellence in all aspects of life and activity. The students are encouraged to make sound moral judgment based on a well-formed conscience and put them into practice with a sense of personal commitment and to know that love of God more perfectly.
The school undertakes measures brightens the future of every person with whom we come in contact with a Salesian spirit of attentiveness to the individual characterized by firmness and gentleness, making him or her useful to the society and helping all to become aware of their own dignity and destiny.
Every year our school is showing good result in Higher Secondary School Leaving certificate (HSLC)Examination under SEBA. Our first batch of HSLC was appeared in 1982. Since that year onwards till 2007, twenty-five batches passed HSLC Examination from our school. Almost 100% result was shown in HSLC Exams by our school candidates. In the year 1996, Amit Verma received eighteenth position, in the year 2001, Navin Daga received seventeenth position, in the year 2005, Bidyot Doley received eighteenth position, in the year 2007, Palash Bora received third position, in SEBA’s HSLC Examination. It was marvelous result of our school in Silapathar.
The school is affiliated to the Board of Catholic School- Tezpur Guwahati under the Bishop of Tezpur, Government of Assam gave permission up to school VIII level. Now our school has develop into a full fledged grand Higher Secondary School due to the hard efforts of many Rev. Fathers who have rendered their valuable services, commitment and sacrifices for the educational benefits of the local people. Nearly about one thousand students are studying here. Most of the students are studying here. Most of the students are native, some are from Arunachal Pradesh. A few students are from out of Assam. Gradually and step-by-step our school has developed in every aspect. More than one thousand five hundred students have passed H.S.L.C examination from our institution. Library, computer Lab and Science Laboratory are contributing modern education to our students. The school has Boy’s hostel, Girl’s hostel, Teachers quarters, Health unit, a big playground and a park for K.G classes. The school is well protected by concrete walls around it. Good urinals and laboratory arrangement are provided. For pure drinking water three filter reservoirs are made for students. Electrification facilities are also given in each classroom. Curricular activities like academy, quiz, arts and eco-clubs are introduced as a part of school curriculum. Eco-Club was formed on 27th of 2002. This eco-club plantation has shown its vitality in National Science Congress. We are giving adequate importance in game and sports among our students since the initial stages of the school. Our selected players are going in district and state level tournament too.
DBHS has overcome its initial trials. It had to face many challenges due to many misunderstandings. Today it is one of the institutions much sought after. I would like to thank the almighty God for his providential care especially in those moments of struggles.
My sincere thanks to his Grace Arch Bishop Joseph Mitathany who encouraged the institution at its infancy. Our Bishop Rt. Rev. Robert Kerketta with paternal care is always with us. My heartfelt thanks to him. My sincere thanks to our former provincials and the parent Provincials of the Sister of the Cross for their collection.
My sincere thanks to my predecessors who labored hard to bring up the institution to today’s stature. DBHS one of the premier English Medium Schools and one of the premier institutions in the District of Dhemaji, Assam.
In facts this first institution of MSFS in North East India. So far 11 badges of students have appeared the Matriculation Examination. Teachers are co-operative and helpful. Students are given ample opportunities to participate in co-curricular activities. From 1994, no addition was made to the existing building. We have completed the compound wall, toilets for boys and girls etc. A well equipped library under planned. There is also a children’s park. Taking into consideration the needs of the staff, we started the provident fund for them.
The school is considered as the best institution in this area. Silapathar is a well-established mission today, with a beautiful parish church, a convenient presbytery, a Higher Secondary School, convent, village schools, hostel for Boys, Girls and very large and vibrant catholic community. The holy Cross Sister is being commendable work as our collaborators in this mission.
The school was started in the year 1971. It is conducted by MSFS (Missionaries of St. Francies De Sales ) fathers belonging to the Catholic Church and is managed by the Bishop of Tezpur. The school is a full-fledged institution and has classes from Nursery to Cl-X
Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Silapathar, is a co-educational, catholic missionary institution under SEBA managed by the Dibrugarh province of the Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales, known as MSFS fathers, with the motto, “IN-TO LERAN, OUT-TO-SERVE.”
Don Bosco Higher Secondary School was a tiny seed planted in soil of Silapathar in the year 1971, with 28 students and two teachers. Today the small plant has taken deep roots and spread its branches all around. At present it shelters more than 2300 students who are guided by 61 teachers and 12 non-teaching staff. More than 9000 students have passed through the portals of this hallowed Institution and following the Motto, they serve the society in varying capacities and in all walks of life.
Don Bosco Higher Secondary School is a Catholic School established by the Missionaries of St. Francis De Class X and is recognized by the Secondary Education Board of Assam. Our Patron St. Francis De Sales said, “Knowledge is the eighth sacrament.” Our Founder Fr Peter Mermier stressed the need for “Education of the Heart is the Heart of Education.” Inspired by these teachings, we realise our role and responsibility in leading our students, teachers and parents towards an integrated education and human growth.
The institution tries to provide facilities not only for studies but also for games, sports as well as a variety of extracurricular and co-curricular activities. In spite of the limited facilities, constant encouragement is given to the students to take part in all these activities.
The medium of instruction is English. The School is recognized by Board of Secondary Education Assam (SEBA) and as such it follows the curriculum and syllabus of SEBA.
IN – TO LEARN, OUT – TO SERVE
TO INSPIRE EVERY STUDENT TOWARDS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND INSTIL IN THEM, AN INTEGRATED PERSONALITY, WITH A HEALTHY MIND AND BODY, POSSESSING STRENGTH OF CHARACTER, ATTITUDE AND DEDICATION.
A HOLISTIC SOCIETY OF COMPASSIONATELY HUMAN, SPIRITUALLY ENLIGHTENED, INTELLECTUALY AWAKENED, PROFESSIONALLY SKILLED, SOCIALLY COMMITTED AND CULTURALLY INTEGRATED PERSONS, BASED ON THE VALUES AS LIVED AND TAUGHT BY JESUS CHRIST AND FOLLOWED BY SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES.