MGHS-FREETOWN

A Brief History.

The Methodist Girls' High School is one of the oldest secondary school in Freetown, Sierra Leone and was founded by Mr. James Taylor.

The first milestone was the opening of the Wesleyan Female Educational Institution on 1st January 1880, by a company of Sierra Leonean business men, incorporated during the previous year.  Mr. Taylor, the moving spirit, had rallied influential Methodists and consulted the General Superintendent, Rev. M. Godman, who gave the idea of starting a new school his blessing.

On January 9, 1880, classes officially commenced under the supervision of its first principal, Mrs. E. H. C. Weymouth, and several deaconesses of the Methodist Missionary Society. Unfortunately, Mrs. Weymouth's reign was short-lived because of health complications. This greatly impacted the school's administration, which led to its temporary suspension. When the administration later resumed, the school was relocated to Lightfoot Boston Street. 
 
Mr. Taylor died in 1901 after struggling to keep the school afloat for 20 years. The impact of his death resulted in a temporary interruption of the school's day-to-day administration. When things eventually resumed, the institution was moved to a house on George Street that was donated by the late Mr. Taylor. Under the new administration, the school started with about 130 students from kindergarten to class 10 (10th Grade), the highest grade then.

In 1905, the school was handed over to the Wesleyan Missionary Society and continued to grow. Through the tireless efforts of Mrs. W. T.  Balmer, wife of the principal of the Wesleyan Boys’ High School, the girls' school was later transformed to a co-educational school; boys were able to attend as well. Because its staff were recruited from Wesleyan Deaconess College in England, the school's name was later changed to Wesleyan Girls High School. An Old Girls Association was then formed in 1905 to establish its existence.

In 1921, the school moved from the city of Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital, to its current location at Wilberforce. However, the war from 1944-1945 forced its temporary relocation to Bathurst Street in Freetown. Due to the challenges of the long-distance commute and financial hardship, the Board of Governors established a boarding department in 1925, allowing many of the deaconesses and teachers to reside on school property. This new change fostered improved training and supervision of the students.  The popularity of the school grew, attracting students from other African nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, and The Gambia. In 1932, the school relocated to Wilberforce and renamed the Methodist Girls’ High School. 

The school's first indigenous permanent principal Mrs Fashu Collier was an alumna.  Her excellent managerial and administrative skills helped maintain high academic standards and discipline.  Mrs Collier retired after 28 years and was succeeded by Mrs. Hannah Kawalley, another alumna who continued the good work.

Then And Now...

The devastating Sierra Leone Civil War that lasted from 1991 to 2002 took the nation’s education system as an early casualty, wiping out 1,270 primary schools and forcing 67 percent of all school-aged children out of school in 2001. The civil war started in the 1980's and ended with a peace treaty reached between 1997-1999.  Almost two decades later, the educational system in Sierra Leone is still recovering from the destruction caused by the conflict. It has been a challenge; unfortunately, the Methodist Girls' High School has not been exempt from encountering challenges.

Due to the influx of girls from other parts of the country desiring quality education, the population of the school has increased to about 2,500 enrolled students. This forced the Board to establish a two-shift school system (morning and afternoon shifts). Each shift lasts for approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.  The shifts are currently managed by two principals, Mrs. Daisy McWen and Mrs. Mary Jambai. 

This situation has greatly impacted the school's curriculum and is impairing the students' ability to learn. The result is a steady decline in the quality of education the children receive. 




This situation has greatly impacted the school's curriculum and is impairing the students' ability to learn. The result is a steady decline in the quality of education the children receive. 

Because of the challenges we're facing, we desperately need extra classrooms and other resources to help us return back to a one shift school. This way, we can adequately prepare our students for the future. Currently, it is estimated that we are in need of 30 classrooms (including a study hall, a gymnasium, and an extension of all of our labs).

It is because of this dire need that we are appealing to our old girls, alumnae, friends far and near, donors, supporters, associates, and well-wishers to help us facilitate the erection of these additional classrooms and improve the facilities for the students.  

In 2017, the school won the award for best girls secondary school in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  Also, we were recognized by a media outlet in South Africa ( 947 in South Africa), as one of the top 100 best schools in Africa in 2015.

Our dear friends, supporters and well-wishers, it is this stellar reputation that we are trying to maintain. Our goal is to continue to provide good and quality education for our children. Would you please consider donating to the building fund to help us make a difference? Your contribution will not only help improve the current situation, it will also help improve the quality of education in Sierra Leone. There is no set amount you can give. Whatever you can afford will significantly make a difference, and together we can restore the quality of education current and future students deserve and the standard of the Methodist Girls' High School.

Thank you in advance for your contribution. May God bless you.


METHODIST GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH THE YEARS - CLICK NOW