25/01/2024
IN THE BEGINNING.
THE NAME MARYLAND
What is now known as Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School did not exist overnight. It is an answer to the prayer of Rev. Mother Arcade O.L.A. (R.I.P.). She actually prayed to Our Lady that this land (Maryland compound) be given to the Catholic Mission to establish a school. She made a promise that if the request was granted by Our Lady, the land would be named after her. Thus, her request was granted and the land was named “Maryland” in 1950 – a name that has become the landmark in the fast spreading Lagos metropolis of today.
EARLY YEARS OF MARYLAND
In 1950, Maryland was prepared for St. Agnes Teachers’ College which was moved from its Yaba site. The Teachers’ College was later relocated to form a co-educational Teachers’ College with St. Leo’s Abeokuta in 1968, while paving the way for the establishment of a new innovative secondary school - Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School (MCSS) on the 21st of January 1969. The school was innovative in the sense that, it became the first co-educational institution established by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, having founded so many girls’ schools in different parts of the country. MCSS thus inherited the fine buildings and extensive grounds which had been prepared for St. Agnes Teachers’ College.
ESTABLISHMENT OF MCSS
With the relocation of St. Agnes Teachers’ College, MCSS was established. Between 1969 and 1979, the school bloomed, offering boarding facilities for Girls while the Boys’ hostel was contracted to a private operator outside the school premises, but still under the school’s authority. With the advent of the Universal Primary Education Scheme (UPE) and the ‘Take – Over’ in the 1970s, there was a phenomenal rise in school enrolments. The school soon had morning and afternoon sessions.
THE TAKE-OVER OF SCHOOL
In 1979, the Lagos State Government took over the school and it became a “Day” school. A division was made in the early 80s and the “Afternoon” session was named Mary Immaculate Secondary School, still located on the same site, but in a separate building. The “Morning” session remained Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School.
The School 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 State 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 LCDA, the State Primary School Board, two secondary schools, three primary schools and a French Language Centre.
THE RETURN OF THE SCHOOL
On the 2nd of October, 2001, Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School was returned by the Lagos State Government, during the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to the Catholic Mission headed by Anthony Cardinal Okogie (then Archbishop Anthony Okogie). The ‘returned’ MCSS was different from what was taken-over! True to its type, as one would not expect to find things as “palatable” as they were before the take-over of the school, there were infrastructural decay, over-population of students, indiscipline, to mention but a few.
The Catholic Mission handed the administration of the school to the founding Sisters who began again to practically rebuild from the cradle.
ADMINISTRATION
From 1969 to 2001, a total of eleven Principals headed the school starting with the founding principal Rev. Sister Kathleen O’Regan, O.L.A. (R.I.P.) in 1969. Others who held the post of acting or substantive Principals were: Rev. Sister Johanna McCarthy, O.L.A. (R.I.P.) Mr. A. B. Falohun, Mr. A. A. Omoera (R.I.P), Rev. F. F. McGovern, S.M.A. (R.I.P.) Mr. Paul Amenechi, (R.I.P.), Mrs. R. A. Majasan, Mrs. M. V. Dipeolu, Mrs. J. O. Olatunji, Mrs. M. V. Farinu and Olori A. A. Adeolu. From October 2001 to September 2003, the school was headed by Rev. Sister Mary Crowley, O.L.A. who invariably became the first Administrator in the new dispensation. From 18th of September, 2003 to 2014, Rev. Sister. Esther Edeko, O.L.A. took over, and in September 2014 the present Administrator Rev. Sister Agnes Adepoju OLA took over the management of the school.
MOTTO
Our motto is “Love and Service”; chosen by the founding Sisters, the motto has continued to inspire and guide generations of Marylanders through changing times and circumstances.
MCSS TODAY
With the introduction of Universal Basic Education (UBE) and in line with the requirements of the Programme, the School was subdivided into both Junior and Senior Schools. Each school has its own Head Teacher and Sectional Head. The Administrator, Head Teachers 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 continuos process, thus giving the school a new face lift that could be compared with structures found internationally. As a school, the primary function is to provide an enabling environment and opportunities to maximize sound learning in all its forms; interlectually, socially, emotionally, physically, technologically and spiritually.
Consequently the school has since her inception in 1969, credibly produced high caliber of students, academically, morally and otherwise. Our graduates have served the nation in various capacities worthy of emulation.
MCSS have come a long way from the time the founding ‘Mothers”, the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles made 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
MISSION STATEMENT
To provide an enduring legacy of qualitative and affordable education in Nigeria. Our students as much as possible, acquire the best education in a conducive, fair, competitive and dynamic atmosphere with assistance of competent and dedicated teachers
VISION
Our vision is to create a school community where learners develop a passion for excellence and are empowered within a conducive learning environment, in order to attain qualitative education.
