HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

A GLANCE AT 31 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE SOCIETY

Montfort Higher Secondary School, Belbari, Champaknagar, West Tripura, is a Catholic Institution managed by the ‘Institute of the Brothers of St. Gabriel, Province of North East India’, popularly known as Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel. The Brothers are administering about 165 educational institutions in 22 states in India. In Northeast India, the Brothers are managing 17 educational centres in 5 states.

In 1990, through the initiative of the Holy Cross Fathers and at the invitation of Bishop of Silchar, Rt. Rev. Denzil D’ Souza, the Province of South India of the Montfort Brothers, bought some land in Belbari near Champaknagar to start a school. The then Provincial Superior, Bro. Antony of Padua, appointed Bro. Varghese Mandapathil to take up the Tripura Mission. The Brothers took over the management of the Holy Cross School at Mohar Para in June 1991with the understanding that they would shift the school to the new site at Belbari, Champaknagar 30 km away, as soon as the school building was ready.

Rev. Bro. Lawrence Joseph, the then Vicar General, laid the foundation stone for the new building on Oct. 2, 1991. Under trying conditions of social unrest and militancy, the construction progressed gradually under the able supervision of Rev. Bro. Martin. In June 1993 the school was shifted to Belbari, Champaknagar.

On 21st June 1993, the school commenced its service to humanity as Montfort School, under the leadership of Bro. Varghese Mandapathil, the first Principal and Director. It had a humble beginning with 129 students from KG to Class V and 11 members of the staff on the roll. The inauguration of the new school building and the first Parents’ Day was held on March 20, 1994, with Mr Romesh Bhandari, the then governor of Tripura, as the Chief Guest. The school had a strength of 220 students with 120 boarders at that moment of time in history. The foundation stone for the Boarding was also laid on the same day.

True to its motto ‘Lead Kindly Light’, Montfort School has been lighting up the lives and personalities who took the opportunity to pass through its knowledge-filled portals, since its inception twenty-five years ago.

From June 1994 to May 2000, Bro. P. K. James was the Director and Principal. During his 6 years of animation and leadership, the school and boarding gradually grew into a full-fledged Centre for Education. In 1995, with the consent of the people around, the location, where the school is situated, was renamed as ‘Montfort Nagar’.

In 1996 the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians started their collaboration in the mission of the Brothers.

Bro. Joseph John arrived in Champak Nagar in the year 1996. He was a teacher, a warden and a spiritual guide. He was also well versed in treating sick people with homeopathic medicines and many approached him constantly for treatment. He learnt the Kokborok language as well. The sudden demise of this well-loved father —figure for the Montfortian of Tripura, came as a rude shock to all concerned. He is still very much missed and is moaned by his benefactors.

The first batch of 10 students of Montfort appeared for the school final exams in April 1998 and 9 of them came out in flying colours, a rare feat considering the overall performance of the tribal children of the locality. The Second batch of Madhyamik, consisting of 21 candidates appeared for their final exams in April 1999 and Montfort School received its first 100 % result.

From June 2000 to May 2007, Bro. Joy Alex was at the helm of affairs of this Institution. The school and the boarding continued to grow in strength and quality under his guidance, The total

strength of the school reached 1004 of which 450 were boarders, comprising both boys and girls.

The school was selected as the best school in Tripura for Computer Literacy in 2004, and this award was presented by his Excellency the then President of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. In 2004, Bro. Joy raised the institution into a higher secondary school. From then on, Montfort School is known as Montfort Higher Secondary School.

In June 2007, Bro. P. J. Philip was appointed as Principal & Director. Heintroduced Kokborok as a second language, as an alternative to Bengali in the school.

Bro. Philip took immense interest toswitch over the School Affiliation from TBSE to CBSE. His determined actions finally bore fruit. This institution was Affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi from 1st April 2012. After being affiliated to CBSE, the first batch of CBSE candidates of Classes X & XII appeared for the AISSC Examination in March 2014.

In the year 2015-16, the science stream was introduced in the school and the first batch wrote the board examination in 2016-17, In the year 2020-21 two sections of the science were introduced as many students showed  interest in science.

In June 2017 Bro. Thomas Thanicken took charge as the principal in place of Bro. Philip who was transferred to Montfort, Abhayapuri as Principal.

During the time of Bro.ThomasThanicken the opening celebration of the silver jubilee year was organized.

In the year 2018 June, Bro.VargheseMandapathil was appointed as the principal as Bro.ThomasThanicken was transferred to Guwahati as he was appointed as the Provincial Busar

The Silver Jubilee Finale was organized in November 2018.  In March 2019 Bro.Varghese was appointed as the Provincial superior and so he was shifted to Guwahati, the Provincial headquarters.

Bro.M. K. Devassy was appointed as the principal from April 2019. In May 2023 Bro. M.K. Devassy was transferred to Montfort International Education Secretariat, New Delhi. On 24^th June 2023, Bro. K. J. Jose took charge  as the new Principal.

In order to promote child-to-child learning and participation of parents and community in the planning and execution of services for children in general and disabled children in particular, Montfort Hr. Sec School has introduced Inclusive Education. The school which started with just 129 students on the roll has strength of more than 2108 students from Nursery  to class XII, today. There are about 100 staff members currently serving in the school.

We have a vibrant Alumni Association called ‘Montfort Old Students Association of Tripura’ (MOSAT). It is a non-political, non-religious voluntary organisation of the past students and faculty members started on 03^rd August 2004 by late Bro. Joy Alex who was the then Principal. The association aims to help the members to keep in touch with one another and the School with a view to encourage and support the socio-economic development of the community and the state of Tripura.

For the last 31 years, a lot of construction has taken place in order to develop the accommodation and to provide necessary facilities to the students according to the present Education system.

The Brothers, since the inception of the School, have been earnestly doing their share to fulfil the sacred mission of moulding the young, who enter into the portals of this institution as educated, cultured, motivated and responsible citizens.

We hope that besides academic excellence, Montfort will continue to be at the forefront in Sports, Games, Cultural and other Co-curricular activities at the State and the National level. May God and Saint Montfort our inspiration bless us always.

More developmental works like, construction of open hall, boys’ toilet block, paving tiles in the verandas, etc  are going on in the campus to add additional facilities for all round development of children.