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history of the school
THE NAME MARYLAND
What is now known as Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School emanated from Rev Mother Arcade, OLA of blessed memory, who prayed to our Lady that the land (Maryland Compound) be given to the Catholic Mission to establish a School? She promised our Lady that if her request was granted the school would be named after her. Thus, came the name “Maryland” in 1950 – a name that has now, become the landmark in the fast-spreading Lagos Metropolis of today.
EARLY YEARS OF MARYLAND / ESTABLISHMENT OF MCSS
In 1950, Maryland was prepared for St. Agnes Teacher’s College which was moved from its Yaba site. The Teacher’s College was later relocated to form a co-educational teacher’s College with St. Leo’s College Abeokuta in 1968, which paved the way for the establishment of a new secondary school – Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School (MCSS).
The School became the first co-educational institution, established by the founding mothers, the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles on the 21st of January 1969 (Feast of St Agnes), having founded so many Girls schools in different parts of the country. Thus, MCSS inherited the Structure and the vast acres of land originally earmarked for St. Agnes Teacher’s College. Between 1969 and 1979, the school bloomed, offering boarding facilities for girls while the boys were day students. The school attracted students from far and near, especially families who wanted their children to benefit from a Catholic education.
THE TAKE-OVER OF SCHOOL
In 1979, the Lagos State Government took over the school, as it did other mission Schools. The period coincided with the introduction of the Universal Primary Education Scheme (UPE) which recorded a phenomenal rise in school enrolments. Soon after the ‘Take-Over’, the government introduced both morning and afternoon sessions in the school and made it a “Day School”. The State government made a division in the early ’80s and the “Afternoon session” was named Mary Immaculate Secondary School, still located on the same complex, but in a separate building. The “Morning Session” remained Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School. MCSS was upgraded to a Model School in 1996 by the State government, a status that was justified, as the students always distinguished themselves in various local and national Competitions by winning many laurels for the school. However, what was once the entire compound of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School and St. Agnes Primary School is now occupied by all education offices for kosofe; the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), three secondary schools, three primary schools, Basic Science Center and French Language
ADMINISTRATOR’S BEFORE 2001
Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School was on the 2nd of October, 2001 returned to the Catholic Mission, headed by Anthony Cardinal Okogie (then Archbishop of the Metropolitan Sea of Lagos), by the Lagos State Government, during the administration of Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The returned MCSS was different from what was taken over. There was infrastructure decay, over-population of students, indiscipline, to mention but a few. Thereafter, the Catholic Mission handed the administration of the School to the founding sisters who began again to practically rebuild from the cradle. From October 2001 to September 2003, the School was headed by Rev. Sr. Mary Crowley, OLA who invariably became the first Administrator in the new dispensation. Rev. Sr. Esther Edeko OLA, was the Administrator of the School from September, 2003 to 2014. In September 2014, the present Administrator, Rev. Sr. Agnes Adepoju, OLA took over the management of the School.
MCSS TODAY
With the introduction of Universal Basic Education (UBE) and in line with the requirements of the program, the School was subdivided into both junior and senior Schools. Each School has its own Head Teacher and Sectional Head. The Administrator, Head Teacher, and Sectional Heads form the Administrative Team of the School. Construction of new School facilities, refurbishing, redeveloping and equipping have been very important and consuming aspects of what has been taking place in our school, especially since its return in 2001. It has been a continuous process, thus given the school a new facelift that could be compared with structures found internationally. As a School, our primary function is to provide an enabling environment and opportunities to maximize sound learning in all its forms; intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically, technologically, and spiritually. Consequently, the school has since her inception in 1969, credibly produced a high caliber of students, academically, morally, and otherwise. Our graduates have served the nation in various capacities worthy of emulation. MCSS has come a long way from the time the founding ‘Mothers’, the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles began their worthy endeavor to bring Catholic Education to this special corner of the world. Our School is not a neighborhood school of convenience like most Schools, rather, it is a destination School that is pursued and valued. Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School has the desire to be a first-class institution of learning, equipped with ultra-modern facilities that enhance teaching and learning for purposeful living. Our team of experienced and passionate teachers is charged with the task of transferring knowledge and sharing ideas with the students both within and outside the classroom. Character formation is key to our understanding of education. Founded on authentic Christian principles, we are confident that any child who passes through the educational experience of our College would certainly have a reason to be grateful.
