Catholic School in Southern Bangladesh Focuses on Values-Based Education

A Catholic school in southern Bangladesh is strengthening its focus on values-based education as it seeks to support the academic and personal development of students in a region where access to quality education remains a challenge.

St. Joseph Junior School in Gournadi, located in Barishal District about 170 kilometers south of the capital, Dhaka, serves around 450 students from playgroup to Grade 8. The school is administered by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM).

Headmistress Sr. Lovely Rozario, who has led the school since January 2023, said Catholic education must promote both academic excellence and character formation.

“We complete the syllabus, but along with that we must give values first,” she said.

Founded in 1884, St. Joseph Junior School began as a small educational initiative attached to a Catholic mission. It was once known locally as “Aloka School” and was associated with a nearby mission clinic that provided healthcare services to the local community. The RNDM Sisters assumed responsibility for the school in 2015.

Enrollment has grown steadily in recent years, prompting the construction of an additional floor to accommodate increasing student numbers. The expansion was supported by the local Catholic bishop.

Despite the growth, retaining students beyond the primary level remains a challenge. Many families transfer their children to government schools after Grade 5, often due to financial considerations, including government stipends, or limited awareness of the benefits of Catholic education.

“There is still a lack of awareness,” Sr. Lovely said, noting that Catholic schools are generally better known and more sought after in Dhaka than in many rural areas of Bangladesh.

To address the issue, the school plans to introduce secondary-level classes, allowing students to continue their education within the same institution.

Sr. Lovely said the school places particular emphasis on values such as honesty, discipline, respect, and responsibility. Teachers work closely with students to reinforce these values through daily interactions and classroom activities.

The school also serves students from different religious backgrounds in Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country of about 170 million people. While students receive instruction in their respective faith traditions, the school promotes mutual respect and understanding among all communities.

“We welcome everyone and respect all religions,” Sr. Lovely said.

She added that misconceptions sometimes arise, with some people assuming that Christian schools seek to convert students. However, she emphasized that the school's mission is to serve the wider community through education.

“We do not preach directly, but through our work we give witness,” she said.

According to Sr. Lovely, Catholic schools in Bangladesh have long contributed to society by producing graduates known for discipline, integrity, and social responsibility.

She acknowledged that Church-run institutions occasionally face criticism or misunderstanding but said such challenges have not diminished their commitment to educational service.

“When we do good work, criticism will come, but I pray and continue the mission,” she said.

Through its educational programs and emphasis on values formation, St. Joseph Junior School continues to serve families in Barishal and contribute to the broader mission of Catholic education in Bangladesh.