The Institute of the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa (C.S.S.T.) was founded in 1887 by Mother Teresa of St. Rose of Lima (a resident of Chennai) in the town of Ernakulam in Kerala. It was a time when the vast majority of people were living in extreme poverty and misery, and the poor were compelled to beg on the streets to earn a living. A caste -ridden society was the order of the day.
An educationist with a spiritual and social thrust and great zeal, Mother Teresa was convinced that all human beings are children of God, with the right to live in dignity.
With the first foundation, St. Teresa's Convent Ernakulam, Kerala, she started a school where all types of students, irrespective of their social and financial status, were admitted. In the short span of her life as Foundress (1887- 1902), she also set up an orphanage for the poor whom society discarded, and even personally nursed the sick inmates during the epidemics of the time. A dispensary, Industrial school for the poor, and home for the Aged poor, were also started. She was a pacesetter, who visited even the prison and attended to the spiritual needs of the prisoners. She brought about liberation from the chains of casteism and poverty.
Imbibed by her spirit, Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa serve in the field of education, social and health action.
St. Joseph's Convent School, Piproli is owned and administered by the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa, Northern Province. It is inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ, and spiritual values such as love, peace, brotherhood, equality, joy, service, forgiveness etc. It is a Minority school enjoying the relevant rights and privileges guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. As a catholic and Carmelite School, it tries to promote the integral development of young people based on the Christian vision of the human person, of life and of the world. The management and the staff, faithful to the spirit and charism of our foundress, Mother Teresa of St. Rose of Lima, work together for the common goal of forming the young in the world. In our educative mission, the participation and collaboration of the Educating community (Management, Staff, Students, Parents and Guardians) is an indispensable feature. The sense of shared responsibility and active involvement in order to achieve the common goals and vision of education, enable us to form one family. Certain human qualities such as honesty, openness, trust, willingness to serve others, courtesy and thoughtfulness help to foster the family spirit.