ST. EDWARD’S SECONDARY SCHOOLS, FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

The Catholic Church has played a prominent role in pedagogical development in Sierra Leone through the establishment of educational institutions country wide. The origin of St. Edward’s Schools in the capital, Freetown, lies deep in the history of the Catholic Church in Sierra Leone. In 1865, pioneering missionary priests, led by Rev. Fr. Edward Blanchet of the Holy Ghost Congregation, founded a primary school in Freetown, named and placed it under the patronage of St. Edward, the Confessor and King of England. Once established, St. Edward’s Primary School gradually grew in pupil numbers. In 1900, another Catholic primary school, St. Anthony’s was established. The need for a Catholic secondary school for primary school leavers therefore became increasingly compelling.

Accordingly, St. Edward’s Secondary School was established in February 1922. The two Catholic primary schools – St. Edward’s and St. Anthony’s – served as feeder schools to St. Edward’s Secondary School. St. Edward’s Secondary School developed over the next two decades (1922–1942) from an
institutional embryo to a mature and vibrant educational establishment, uniquely offering Latin and French in its curriculum.
Under its bold, resourceful and dynamic Principal, Rev. Fr. Cornelius Mulcahy, St. Edward’s Secondary School became very successful academically and in sports, repeatedly winning national championships in football, cricket and athletics.

Between 1942 and 1980, vital inputs in administration, management and teaching staff were provided by dedicated missionary priests from the Holy Ghost Order in the Republic of Ireland. This crucial Irish connection with the school, in collaboration with the devoted services of their Sierra Leonean counterparts, created a fertile and productive learning environment for a stable and continued progression of St. Edward’s Secondary School.
In 1959, the school moved (for the second time) into a purpose-built accommodation at Kingtom, an ideal city suburb location with spacious grounds. In 1960, a Sixth Form was added to the classes.