St. Anthony’s School is an unaided English Medium Educational
lnstitution founded in 1977 with the object of imparting
value-based education to both boys and girls. Affiliated to
C.B.S.E., it has emerged as a premier school of Barabanki
district. It has achieved its present status by the dedicated work
of many able priests and religious nuns belonging to the Sacred
Heart Congregation of the Patna Region.
A brief record of their work says that in the year 1945, this
institutional land was purchased by the Catholic Diocese of
Allahabad and the following year transferred to the newly-found
Diocese of Lucknow of which Rev. Bishop Conard De Vitto OFM Cap.
became the first Bishop. The priest appointed by the Bishop was
Fr. Alexander OFM Cap. He was followed bv Fr. Gasper Pinto, Fr.
Clement, Fr. Jerome Saldanha and Fr. Baptist D' Souza who extended
their chain of contribution and also did social work in the
village of Banki. Bishop Conard De Vitto was succeeded by Bishop
Cecil De Sa whose vision and insight conceived an Educational
Institution named after St. Anthony of Padua. He appointed Fr.
Joseph Peter Rodrigues in 1977 who visualized the establishment of
St. Anthony's School in Barabanki. For two years the classes were
held in the Priest House.
Later, in 1979, 24th November, the foundation was laid down for
the present building by Mr. Naresh Dayal (District Magistrate,
Barabanki) and blessed on 2nd, March, 1982 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Cecil
De Sa (Bishop of Lucknow). In no time, it gained much popularity
and Fr. Valerian D' Souza took over the charge of the school from
Fr. Rodrigues. In spite of financial crunch his efforts at
extending the building were corunendable. He worked day and night
with the vision of upgrading it to class 10th.
In his time, the library and the laboratory were added to the
institution. Every small development was like a new discovery for
both staff and students in those days. In the year 1985, Fr.
Velerian D' Souza was transferred and in his place Fr. Raymond
Rego joined the institution. He worked hard for upgrading the
school to Standard X, with all sincere efforts. He fulfilled the
requirements of both Government of U.P. and Central Board of
Secondarv Education and ultimately the school was affiliated to
the Board in the year 1986. First batch, with only 18 students,
appeared for Board Examinations and were successful with 100%
result. First 4 batches had to go to Lucknow Central School for
appearing at the Board Examination. Fr. Andrew D' Cunha's efforts
resulted in the school being made an examination centre. Parents
and children were much relieved.
This institution has been further shaped and guided by efficient
principals like Rev. Fr. Vincent Pinto (1988-1991), Rev. Fr. Lancy
Lobo (1991-l993),Rev. Fr. Vincent Nazareth (1993-1996), Rev. Fr.
Denis D' Souza (1996-1997), who all added new dimensions to the
establishment from time to time in very firm and affectionate
manner. The year 1997 saw another beacon of light to lead and
guide the destiny of this institution in the person of Fr. Anthony
D' Souza. He had a greater vision and ambition of upgrading the
school to the Senior Secondary level. From day one he started
chalking out his plans and within two years he could materialize
the dream of the people of Barabanki by catering to the
educational needs of the children who no longer have to go out of
Barabanki for Senior Secondary Education. Now the intermediate
section has Maths, Life Sciences and Commerce stream too. The
school achieved commendable academic results in the last two
consecutive years in Senior Secondary Examination.
At present the school has well educated faculty members, standard
library, well equipped laboratories, Computer facilities and a
recently built spacious auditorium. All facilities are being
provided by the enormous efforts and devotion of the school
authorities headed by fathers and sister with full co-operation
from staff for all-round development of the students. From a
meagre 100 students in the year 1977,the school has grown to a
strength of 2000 plus students, 70 plus staff members and a
renovated and larger school building. The school is well known for
its discipline and quality teaching, co-curricular activities and
all round development of the students personality. In most of the
district level or inter school competitions, whether educational,
sports or cultural, this school is usually second to none.
