Father Fredrick Kujur, SJ.
Father Florence Guria, SJ.
General Information About St. Mary’s Samtoli, Simdega
History
St. Mary’s High School Samtoli, Simdega was started by Ranchi Jesuit Society in 1930. Simdega is situated about 196 km from Ranchi in close vicinity of Odisha and Chhatisgarh boarder. This history tells us that the region was untrenchable and covered with forests and rivers, rivers without bridges, and the dusty roads meandering through thick forest and hilly terrain. The people were groping in the darkness of illiteracy and groaning under the clutches of landlords and moneylenders. Therefore, the need of a high school was felt very strongly for the liberation of the tribals, dalits and other backward classes. The dawn of St. Mary’s High School in this region in 1930 paved the way for literacy movement, economic development and social conscientization. The school has gone before the periods of trials and uncertainties before it could obtain the permanent recognition in 1932 and minority status in 1968.
Since its inception St. Mary’s High School Samtoli has been a premier institution imparting quality education and establishing people in administrative jobs, technical and professional sectors. The school has also glorious history in the field of games and sports producing Olympians and International players like Sylvanus Dungdung, Late Michael Kindo (died on 31.12.2020) just to name a few. There has been a long list of achievements in the field of academic and co-scholastic areas recognized and awarded by the State Government.
The Jesuits of St. Mary’s Community as well as the Jesuits of the Ranchi Province made a serious reflection and deliberation to discern whether to start an Intermediate College here or not. They arrived at the conclusion that the Intermediate College will render great service to the large number of students who are unable to go to the other cities for the pursuit of higher education. Hence the Society must provide quality education with personal care at the doorstep. Consequently, in 2003 the Intermediate College was started in St. Mary’s High school.
The Venture of academic journey did not stop here. In 2009 the Jesuits of St. Mary’s Community decided to start an English medium school to empower our students and keep them at least at par with other students of English medium schools if not ahead of them. But our efforts has always been to excel in imparting good education and we are making headway to achieve this goal.
Vision
St. Mary’s High School, Inter College and English Medium all draw inspiration from the life and teaching of Jesus Christ in general and particularly from the life of St. Ignatius’ of Loyola – the founder of the Society of Jesus and his vision of the world. After the name of Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus these three Institutions are named – ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL, ST. MARY’S INTER COLLEGE and ST. MARY’S ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL, SAMTOLI, SIMDEGA.
Mission
St. Mary’s High School, Inter College and English Medium School Samtoli, Simdega are committed to impart quality education to our students so that they in turn become the agents of change – change for good and bring about self and social transformation. The school primarily upholds and promotes Christian values; however the doors are kept open for every caste, creed and gender. Nevertheless the emphasis is laid on promotion of human values, respect for every child and the defence of his / her dignity.
Objectives
To translate the vision into action with our collaborators and lead our students to :
- Strive to produce intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually sound and committed men and women in the service of humanity and nation.
- Empowering the less privileged students, particularly the Tribal and poor sections of the society.
- All round development of the
- Prepare students with sound doctrines of life and help them become man and woman of Character.
- Encourage and accompany them to achieve MAGIS.
- Understand own’s liberty and learn to use it creatively for harmonious living in the society.
- Extend co-operation in the fundamental change of society where brotherhood, love mutual understanding, and justice reigns and equal opportunity is guaranteed for all.
- Ensure all round development (physical, mental, spiritual, moral, psychological etc.) of our children.
Motto
The motto of this School is “ LOKAM PRAKASHYET” which means – “Lead us from darkness to light”.
JESUIT EDUCATIONAL AIMS
Jesuit education is inspired by the Ignatian world- vision of man, drawn from the life and teaching of Jesus Christ who has always been respected and admired by the people of India. Our aim is not simply to “ Teach” and develop good professional in society, but to educate, to draw out the best that is in every person. The students are called upon to develop themselves as a person, and they should know how to live in a community. Plans, programmes, methods, examinations etc. are developed in accordance with this objective. The person we educate, must be able to live in community in solidarity with other men and women who are his brothers and sisters, specially with those who are in need.
We want our students to be “ persons for others”. Egoism, deceit, craze for possessions, a consumerist – spirit, a spirit of competition which takes advantage of the weakness of others: those tendencies have no rooms in our educational purpose. Sadly the society in which we live, and often the family itself, accepts these tendencies, without reflecting on the harm they do to person, the family and the society. To combat these harmful tendencies it is essential that every parents, teachers and students – be convinced and united in affirming the values of justice, equality, service, honesty, sincerity, generosity and respect for others.