School History

Holy Rosary Secondary School is in the town of Kenema, an area called Dama Road. Kenema is the capital of the Eastern Region and it is known for its cash crop farming and it is rich in diamonds. A lot of people in this area are very interested in peasant farming and the minimal wages they receive from the menial jobs in the Diamond minds. In recent years, a lot of these people have come to see the value of education hence they are interested in having their children educated. This is one of the reasons for the present massive influx of students in the schools. The situation of the school in the outskirts of the town makes it very conducive for studies as the students are kept far from the noise of town and the busy business/commercial life and social activities which distract young people in this part of the globe.

The school is owned and run by the Diocese in partnership with the Government who willingly pays the salaries of the academic staff as its own contribution to the education of its citizens. It is presently managed by a Missionary Sister of the Holy Rosary whose congregation opened the school in response to the primary aim of their being founded, that is, to work with and for the poor and the marginalized of society through holistic education at all levels, health care, and social works, with particular interest in women and children.

During the ten year Rebel War in Sierra Leone, which began in this part of the country, the school was used as a Refugee Camp. As a result, there was a lot of destruction of the property and furniture. For the past eight years after the war, we have tried to rehabilitate the school and our other institutions to a manageable standard. At the moment, the school has four blocks consisting 24 classrooms, a small multipurpose hall, an equipped home science block, an examination office, a small Science Laboratory and a small administrative building. All these were renovated after the war to meet the high demands of the community for the education of the girl child after the war.

Holy Rosary Secondary School Kenema created in response to the needs of the Kenema community for a good Teacher Training College for girls later became a secondary school where girls could gain holistic formation at a relatively cheap rate, considering that most of the schools at the time were for boys and not much focus was given to the education of the girl child. With the state of affairs in our country, the common man cannot readily afford this quality of education for their children. About 90% of the inhabitants of Kenema are farmers, traders and diamond miners with a meager income to cater for the needs of their families. This constitutes a major problem for education in this area as most of the pupils can neither afford text books, fees nor an atmosphere conducive for studies when they leave the school environment. An opportunity of time and space to study in the school will give them access to the school library and a study atmosphere which is conducive for learning.

Since the government cannot afford to build new structures around the nation, it seeks to use whatever space is already available for the training of its citizens. Considering that the government of Sierra Leone readily pays the teachers as its own contribution to education, the proprietors and the school administration seek to create facilities for children who seek education. The government pays teachers consequently, it determines the school fees which are generally low making it difficult to run the school or carry out school projects. This situation can hardly be amended at local level since most of the people can barely afford the minimal fees charged.

At the moment, the school has four blocks consisting 24classroms, a small multi-purpose hall, a well equipped Home Science Block, a Science Laboratory, a Computer Laboratory and an Administrative Building. All these were renovated after the war to meet the high demands of the community for the education of the girl child after the war. The school can also boast of a sports ground and ample space for extra buildings. Below is a view of the present structure. Presently, the school is being extended so as to accommodate both cadres simultaneously so that studies can take place in the morning when the brain is more alert and active. It also seeks to provide students with ample time and an environment conducive for studies.