The sisters of St. Joseph Kamptee, were called to open a school in the parish of Itarsi, by Fr. Krzeminske S.V.D. Mother Mechtilde of the Sacred Heart and her two companions, Sisters Tarcisius and Bernadette, arrived at Itarsi, on 25th January 1942. The classes were run in the Presbytery and the Church verandah.

The reasons to start the school was to educate the children of the European Railway Employees. In the beginning it was recognized as European Primary School. But soon it was changed into an Indian English Medium School.
The early stages of ups and downs and great struggles reaped the fruit of the production of the convent by 15th June1948. To meet the needs of the Sindhi refugees was a priority of the hour. So the medium of instruction was changed to Hindi. The School acquired permanent recognition and was, within a decade, established as a Higher Secondary School. Great efforts were made by Sr. Veronica the then Principal and Superior, to improve the standard of the school with special care taken by the Sisters to instruct the Catholic Students in their faith.

Over the years, the Sisters felt the need to uplift poor women ad adult girls, so with help from OXFAM England, support of Archbishop Eugene DSouze and unstinted services of Fr. Tarcys OFM cap, Sr. Clotilde started the Jivan Vikas Kendra on March 21st, 1972.

Jivan Vikas Kendra has 2 sections a training section and a working section and a working section. Through income generating works like tailoring, handicrafts, food preservation, typing shorthand etc., the women and girls are helped to have some work within their homes and thus to stand on their own feet and supplement their family income. Thus they are enabled to live with dignity and face life with courage and confidence.
The main thrust is the wholesome education of girls and the upliftment of women irrespective of caste and creed. The Sisters also give importance to Pastoral work, catechetics, guidance and camps for youth, Molthers. Gatherings, P.T. A. and regular family visits. Thus St. Josephs Convent has become an agent of transformation of Society in Itarsi.