May 14, 1964 marked the historic presence of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), commonly known as the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco in Kohima. Sr. Francesca Martina, Superior, Sr. Daglio Angela, Sr. Quattri Ernestina and Sr. Walsh Margret pioneered the mission in Kohima. They were accompanied by Sr. Gallina Cesira, the then Provincial of the Province of Shillong which comprises of the whole of North India – now the Provinces of Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati and Shillong. The entry of the missionaries was miraculous as the Catholic missionaries were prohibited from entering into Kohima for many years. However, it was at the invitation of the Government of Nagaland through the hard work of Mr. Jasokie, the then Minister, Agriculture, Government of Nagaland that the Salesian Sisters were able to set foot in Kohima.
Mr. Jasokie, Minister, Agriculture, Government of Nagaland sent two jeeps to the railway station in Dimapur to fetch the sisters on May 14, 1964. After a tedious journey- the road was zig zag of three hours, the missionaries reached Kohima which is 4,300 ft. high with 10,000 inhabitants. The Sisters were accommodated at Mr. Lhouvineio Lungalang’s residence in D Block, Kohima. Fr. Bernick Paul, Sdb, father in charge, Christ King, Kohima, was there waiting for the Sisters. On behalf of the Ministers and Civil Authorities, Mr. Jaoskie accorded a warm and cordial welcome to the Sisters. Everyone, big and small experienced great joy to see the Sisters in Kohima. Even those who belong to other religious denomination rejoiced at the presence of the Sisters and wanted to entrust their children to them for Education. The first days were spent in getting to know the civil and military authorities.
Mr. L.P Godenho, Head of the School and Secretary of the Managing Board, through constant correspondence very kindly paved the way for the Sisters to take over an English Medium School, known as Little Flower School, and later named Kohima English School. The final agreement was made on August 24, 1964 between Mr. I Panger Ao, Chairman Managing Board, Little Flower School, and Sr. Francesca Martina, Sr. Superior, on behalf of the Provincial, Auxilium, Nongthymmai, Shillong.
The school was situated in Chandmari in four rooms and a total number of 350 children from Nursery to Std. IV. The Sisters had to walk from D Block to the School, until a rented house was provided for them close to the School. Given the lack of proper space and accommodation, the school was held in two shifts from 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. The arrival of Sr. Marisa Rota, the new Sister relieved the Sisters of their heavy work. In 1965, a plot of land was allotted to the Sisters by the T. Khel. The work started for the construction of Sisters’ residence and the school with much cooperation from the people. 300 men and women including officers, teachers from schools and colleges offered a day’s work directed by Mr. Jasokie himself. It was moving to see mothers with children on their back carrying stones and mud the whole day. In 1967, the residence and the School were shifted to the present campus. On January 10, 1967 the new building was blessed by Monsignor Hubert D’ Rosario, SDB, Bishop of Dibrugarh, in the presence of Sr. Teresa Merlo, the then Provincial of Shillong.
The students were now well accommodated but the numbers kept increasing from year to year. A new building had to be constructed for more class rooms. After much negotiations with the T. Khel owners the land was finally purchased on December 9, 1978; the documents being signed by representatives of the T. Khel Owners and Sr. Virginia Marchetti, the Provincial, and Sr. Ivy, the then Headmistress of Little Flower School, in the presence of the Civil Authorities. This was a great relief to all. Work started again for the construction of the present School Building situated higher up the hill. On May 21, 1982, the new building was inaugurated by Mr. J.B Jasokie, Chief Minister of Nagaland and blessed by Rt. Rev. Abraham Alangimattahil, Sdb, Bishop of Kohima.
In 2003, the School was upgraded to a Higher Secondary School. Over the years, thousands of young girls have passed through the portals of Little Flower School – girls, whose lives have been shaped and molded to enrich their families and society at large. Today, there is no public or private sector, agency or enterprise in Nagaland that does not have a Past Pupil of Little Flower School, Kohima, leading it from the front. Curricular activities held in the School have fostered an all-round development of the students. The constant efforts of the Management and the Staff have aimed at developing the individual personality of the student ensuring a high standard of morality and discipline. The academic results in the H.S.L.C Examinations have brought credit to the School – one of the only Girls’ School in the State of Nagaland. With an aim to promote quality education of girls’, the Institution offers free education to a number of poor girls in the form of fee Concession, free uniforms and books, etc. Opportunity to free educational tour and excursion is also offered to a few underprivileged girls. In 2013, the School has opened two more streams, Science and Commerce to offer greater opportunities to many young girls who cannot afford education outside the State of Nagaland.
Little Flower School is noted for its excellence from its initial stage. 1981, Sr. Ivy D’ Souza, Headmistress, received a State Award from the Education Department, Govt. of Nagaland for the meritorious services she rendered in the field of Education. Later, Sr. Angela Daglio, Superior, was given an Award for the School’s excellent performance. In 2001, the International Institute of Education and Management handed over ‘the jewel of India Award’ for the School’s outstanding achievement to Sr. Mary Parekkat, Superior. In 2004, the School received an ‘Excellent Award’ from the Govt. of India, New Delhi, in recognition of its distinguished performance in imparting Computer Education. Rested on the hills, the School is like miniature world of various tribes, cultures and traditions closely knit together with the family spirit, the spiritual heritage of St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello.
The multifarious activities and mission of the Institutions in the field of Education for the integral development of the young, especially the poor and the needy in the geographical and existential peripheries would not be possible had there had been no committed generations of Salesian Sisters and Staff for giving their best to Little Flower School. May the Lord continue to bless the Management, Staff and students, parents, benefactors, well-wishers and all who contribute in one way or another for the growth and expansion of our school. May the Lord continue to sustain and strengthened our sincere commitment towards the integral formation of the young through the educative spirit and Charism of Don Bosco and St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello.