HISTORY OF ST. PETER’S HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL

A Humble Beginning (1975)

The story of St. Peter’s Higher Secondary School, Dangar, began on March 10, 1975. It was originally established as St. Peter’s RCLP School under the visionary leadership of Rev. Fr. Peter Khongshun and Rev. Fr. Varghese Chittoor, then Parish Priest and Assistant Parish Priest respectively of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Mawsynram.

Guided by the motto “To Know and to Enkindle,” the first classes were held on the veranda of a thatched house in Dangar village belonging to the late Smt. Krishna Kumari Chettri, mother of Shri Indro Bahadur Chettri.

The school began with just six students. The first teachers were Babu Sylvester (from the Mawkyrwat area) and Babu Noren Sangma. Education was made accessible to the local community with an annual admission fee of ₹15, a monthly tuition fee of ₹5, and teacher salaries of approximately ₹30–35.

A Beacon of Hope in the Wilderness

Faced with a lack of basic facilities, the school later shifted to Balat village near the marketplace to expand its mission. At that time, the Balat–Dangar region was marked by poverty and illiteracy, with very few houses or schools. St. Peter’s became a beacon of hope for the future. Despite operating in a simple bamboo structure with thatched roofing and no walls, the spirit of the community remained strong. Under the leadership of the late Babu Kaisar Syiemlieh (Headmaster), along with the late Babu Peter B. Marak and Kong Gertrude Lyngdoh, teachers and students worked tirelessly—often clearing land and preparing the campus themselves.

Recognizing the geographical risks posed by the Balat River, Most Rev. Hubert D’Rosario, SDB, then Archbishop of Shillong, along with Fr. Peter and Fr. Chittoor, decided to relocate the school. By God’s grace, land was purchased in 1979, and the school was shifted to its present location in Dangar, where enrollment grew to about 60 students.

The Sprouting Seed and the Trial of 1985

Like a tiny seed, the school began to grow, producing its first batch of Class VI graduates: Indro Bahadur Chettri, Pristina Kharjana, Nispola A. Marak, (Late) Romoti R. Marak, (Late) Qeentina Kharwar, and Krostarwell Nongrem. However, in 1985, severe financial constraints forced the school to remain closed for the entire academic year. It was a time of great hardship, but the community remained steadfast, holding onto the words of Psalm 138:8: “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of Your hands.”

God answered these prayers through the generous support of many well-wishers, including (Late) Meding Wahlang, (Late) Francis Jowel R. Marak, (Late) Dilip Nongsiej, (Late) Kaisar Syiemlieh, (Late) Relbislin Lyngdoh, Kong Gertrude Lyngdoh, and Bah Justine Lyngdoh.

Modernization and Academic Excellence

A new era began in 1993 when the Claretian Missionaries (Bangalore Province), in collaboration with the Visitation Sisters of Don Bosco (VSDB), took charge of the school. A new parish was established with Rev. Fr. Pius Thuruthyil, CMF, as the first Parish Priest, and Rev. Fr. Tomy Edacheriparambil, CMF, as the Assistant Parish Priest and first Headmaster. Construction of a permanent school building began in 1994.

The school then experienced steady academic growth:

• 1999: Upgraded to Class IX
• 2001: Permission granted for Class VIII
• 2002: First batch of Class X students achieved 100% pass in SSLC
• 2003: Formal permission granted for Classes IX and X
• 2005: Official recognition from MBOSE
• 2015: Formal affiliation with MBOSE (Code No. 10178)
• 2017: Introduction of digital classrooms

Results of SSLC

In the HSSLC the first batch performed very well.

Result of HSSLC (Arts)

A Flourishing Legacy (2023–Present)

In June 2023, the Higher Secondary section (Arts stream) was introduced. The first batch of 20 students successfully completed their HSSLC examinations in 2025 with a 100% pass rate. Today, St. Peter’s has grown into a thriving institution with around 1,700 students from diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, supported by dedicated teaching and non-teaching staff.

In 2026, the school proudly celebrates its Golden Jubilee, marking fifty years of service and excellence. The institution takes pride in its alumni, who serve society as doctors, engineers, nurses, teachers, religious leaders, and members of state and central forces. As the school looks toward the future, it seeks the continued intercession of St. Peter. Long live St. Peter’s Higher Secondary School, Dangar!