Bethany at Khayerpur

Agartala, Tripura

The first women religious to enter Tripura were Bethany Sisters on 27 July 1968 in Mariamnager Parish, Agartala, Tripura. The convent was named as Shantir Rani Convent. The main mission was to look after the boarders who were children from interior villages of Tripura. They also taught in Government Bengali medium school. Other ministries were like medical service, evangelization and developmental works. However the mission abruptly ended in 1980 due to the communal riot that erupted in June resulting in permanent closure of the convent.

“When we dare to dream, many marvels can be accomplished. The trouble is most people never start dreaming their impossible dreams” says Gleann Van Ekeren. This saying seems to be true for Bethany at Khayerpur with its second coming to Mariamnagar Parish. It was a long cherished dream to start an Educational Institute of our own administration in the Golden Jubilee Year (1962- 2012) of Bethany Sisters in the North East, with the generosity of our then Superior General Sr Wilberta, we were able to acquire 5 acres of land at Khayerpur, 7 kms away from the capital town Agartala in Tripura. We had put up a small house for the sisters to stay and constructed a few class rooms to begin Nursery and K.G classes in the campus.

January 2012 marked the twin celebrations which were memorable events in the annals of Bethany Sisters in the North East Province. 9 January 2012 was a special day for us as we inaugurated the new convent and canonically erected a new community at Khayerpur, under Marianagar Parish, with Sr Eva as the Superior and Sr Shalini Mary and Sr Charilin as the members of the community. Sr Noeline, the Provincial Superior inaugurated the house and Bishop Lumen Montiero, the Bishop of Agartala blessed the house. Educational ministry and Pastoral care to the people of Mariamnagar parish and the nearby village were the main apostolate of the community.

The second important event was, on 25 January 2012 Bethany School Khayerpur was opened with 47 students for Nursery and K.G I. A part of the school was constructed and completed to have classes. Sr Sandhya,the Assistant Provincial Superior, Fr Ronald SDB, the Parish Priest, Sr Sumitha ,the Superior of Holy Cross Convent, Agartala as well as some neighbours were present for this significant event.

Sr Eva was the first Headmistress of the school from 2012 to 2015. In the initial years of the new school only sisters were teaching in the school. The hard work of Sr Eva, Sr Juliet, Sr Agatha, Sr Stella Mathew, Sr Rebecca and Sr Benadicta Sapna was highly appreciated for laying a strong foundation for Bethany School at Khayerpur. Sr Benadicta Sapna was the Headmistress of the school from June 2015 to 2018. During her tenure, under her supervision the school reached up to class VI with 286 students and 9 teachers.

The vision and the Core Values of Bethany Educational Society help us tremendously to work towards to achieving our goal, “Transformative Education for Fullness of life for all, especially the marginalized and rural poor and the girls, through an integral formation in partnership with God to build His Kingdom”.

The students are talented and eager to learn and explore new things. They discover their talents and abilities by participating in co-curricular activities such as national and cultural festivals, inter-house activities like poster making and painting, essay writing and elocution. To foster communion and team spirit games and sports are held.

Meaningful assemblies are held by depicting Bethany Educational Core Values. Awareness is given to the students regarding cleanliness, manual work and respect for other religion and culture, Religious celebrations like celebrating the Institution Day, Bethany Foundation Day, Girl Child Day on September 8th. etc.

Visitation of Sr Rose Celine, the Superior General and the President of Bethany Educational Society on 30th August 2018 brought down lots of blessings on the school. Personality development programmes were held through input sessions during annual visitation of Sr Joy the Provincial Superior and Corporate Manager of North East Province which helped the teachers and students to build up their personality. Inspection of the school and orientation to the teaches on teaching and BES Core Values by Sr Edleburgh, the Coordinator of Bethany Educational Society North East Province helped the teachers to acquire knowledge on Bethany Educational Vision, Goal and Core values and thus improve their teaching methodology.

Bethany School, Khayerpur celebrated its 6th Annual Day on 14th and 15th of November 2019 on the theme “Heal the Earth, Save Life”. The students showcased their talents and played their part by enlightening the people through dance, drama, mime and PPT presentation on save environment. The students along with the teachers had proved their mettle, by putting up an impressive performance and an apt message of alacrity was sent out to the public. The Chief Guest and the Inspector of Schools highly appreciated the performance of the students. Parents were overwhelmed to witness the performance of their wards on stage.

Even though Bethany School, Khayerpur is a new child for the Bethany Educational Society its outstanding performances are well appreciated. Six students received Gold medals in SOF International Olympiad Exams in different subjects in 2019. Mr Priobrita of Class VI was awarded as the junior artist of the state by NECPO.

The school has all the necessary modern facilities, Hembro eCamp School App, Smart class, Children Park, labs, transport and Green school campus to provide quality education to the students. It also gives special attention for their faith
formation and moral character.

The teachers are committed and contribute their best in imparting knowledge and skills to the students.

Long Live Bethany at Khayerpur, Agartala, Tripura!

Sr Stella Mathew, Principal

Bethany Convent School, Khayerpur