St. John's School of Excellence
School Schedule
- A typical schedule for a student at the St. John's School of Excellence:
- 5:30 am Wake
- 6:00 am Prayer or Mass
- 7:00 am Room Cleaning
- 7:30 am Breakfast
- 8:30 am School
- 10:15 am Tea Break
- 1:00 pm Lunch
- 2:00 pm School
- 4:00 pm Snack
- 4:15 pm Games
- 5:30 pm Bathe
- 6:00 pm Study
- 7:00 pm Rosary
- 7:30 pm Supper
- 8:30 pm Study
- 9:30 pm Bed
- Saturday
- Mornings are similar
- 1:00 pm Cleaning buildings
- 4:00 pm Games, Singing class
- 6:00 pm Dance Practice
- 7:00 pm Rosary
- Sunday
- 6:00 am Wake
- All morning religious classes
- Afternoon includes watching a movie or TV, dance practice and band practice
Letter from the Bishop
General Background Information of the Diocese:
Kurnool Diocese was erected in 1967 with minimum assets and vast population from the mother diocese of Nellore. It has 2 civil districts. From 1967 onward, the diocese has been growing in numbers and acutely struggling to cope with the ever-increasing social, economic, educational and pastoral needs of the faithful.
- The climate is hot and dry
- The ordinary life of the people is agriculturally based,
- But, is affected by drought and famines.
- Therefore, most of the time agriculture is a failure.
- So, they naturally live below poverty line.
- Literacy and education among them is as low as 24%.
About the Organization: Diocesan Educational Society Kurnool (DESK):
DESK is formed to serve an essential need of the people without which the development and progress of the people is highly difficult, that is, education of the rural boys and girls, whose parents and families need their presence more in the fields and work places for the support of their families, than in the school. Schooling is made difficult for them for lack of financial support, opportunities, facilities and prospects of a living through nominal literacy and basic education. Hence, the institutions of child labor and bonded labor have taken root in this society. Other children fall victims of anti-social elements, exploitation and child abuse etc.
Surveying the plight of the children and their families, the diocese felt the dire need of educating these rural boys and girls, providing them with the necessary opportunities, facilities and amenities to promote and foster education worth its name. The integral development of the people is considered possible only through education. Hence the diocese undertook establishing schools, colleges, hostels and boarding homes to make it easy for them to educate themselves. The education offered is almost free with an affordable contribution of the parents.
A word about St. John's Residential School (SJRS):
The Diocesan Educational Society, Kurnool has launched an Educational Project at Marianagar, Oddupally, Talapur, in Anantapur district. It is titled St. John's Residential School for Dalit and Economically Backward Children of Kurnool Diocese.
The main objective is to provide the poorest intelligent children an opportunity for excellent education till 10+2 level, completely free. It is planned, also, to provide them EMCET Coaching to enable them to secure admission to professional courses. It is hoped that a poor boy or girl who is well placed in life because of this excellent education provided in St. John's Residential School will build up an educated family, and help others of their kind.
We expect to build strong and responsible members of the church in Kurnool in the course of time. The diocese has been investing enormous amount of capital on the infrastructure of this school of excellence. However, providing free education with good facilities is very costly.
We ventured this project with full faith in God's providence and in the generosity of men and women of good will. We will be happy if we can give our children who are residents of this institution encouragement to better their lives, and that of their families and transform the society into a more humane, educated, self-respecting and self-reliant one.
It is a very special school in the diocese. It is located in the civil district of Anantapur in Kurnool diocese. This district is known for drought and famine, with little rainfall and low levels of ground water. Agriculture, the mainstay of these people is highly discouraging and they struggle to survive. SJRS is located exactly at the 14 Km stone on Anantapur-Kalyandurg road. It is a 15-20 minute drive from Anantapur by bus or car, situated just by the roadside on the left.
There are now 86 boys and 87 girls in this residential school meant only for the rural, economically poorest of the poor, but intelligent children. Given the need of education for such, the DESK has drained its resources for the good cause of enhancing human life.
This school with attached boarding homes separately for the boys and girls caters to the economically deprived children of the diocese. Besides the other educational opportunities provided in the diocese, SJRS has a particular aim. SJRS exists to provide the best opportunities for the poorest and needy of the place. The capacity of the institution is 800 children. At present there are 173 residents and every year we add other 50 to the existing number of children by admission to the first grade. Beginning with grades 1 to 3, the school will be upgraded every year, up to high school level and hopefully to junior college level. The first group of third grade children who joined in the school in June of 2004 are now in the 6th grade as of this academic year, 2006-07. Every year the classes are increasing and children are growing physically, mentally and spiritually. We find the success and progress of our children in every field.
Boarding homes and Schools in the Diocese: the Diocesan Educational Society Kurnool is serving the catholic and non-Christian children through providing formal and non-formal education, through our
- 35 elementary schools,
- 13 upper primary schools,
- 36 high schools,
- 36 boarding homes,
- 4 Junior colleges, and
- 4 hostels.
A special feature of this organization is that the children are provided everything free of cost. The only criteria for the admission to our schools and boarding homes are first and foremost their poverty situation and the child's aptitude towards studies. We envision completely worry-free education to these children without burdening or frightening the already worried poor parents. This is necessary if the target group is to be redeemed from the clutches of the evils that oppress them.
Conclusion: The diocese is making genuine and strong efforts to promote the education of economically deprived children. It is also making every effort to generate local income for this cause. Yet, the needs are so vast that the diocese is in need of assistance from people like you. We earnestly invite you to become partners in our educational mission to the rural poor for social transformation and human development with integrity.
Sponsor a child - build their future - plant them in the society - for a better humanity.
With blessings,
GORANTLA Johannes DD
Bishop of Kurnool
Curious?
Here's more background on Kurnool, India
Here's more information on the Diocese of Kurnool, India