The First Primary School in Nigeria

The History of Nigeria’s First Primary School: Primary education serves as the fundamental basis for acquiring knowledge and fostering growth. Reflecting upon the origins of formal education in Nigeria allows for a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s educational progression. The establishment of the inaugural primary school represents a significant milestone in enhancing the accessibility of elementary education in Nigeria.Information Guide Nigeria

The advent of contemporary-style education in Nigeria is commonly ascribed to the endeavors of Christian missionaries during the mid-19th century. Although Quranic schools provided certain forms of primary-level instruction, the first tangible primary school emerged as a result of the efforts undertaken by the Church Missionary Society (CMS).

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In June 1843, the CMS established its first mission station in Badagry along the southwestern coast. Under the direction of Rev. C.A. Gollmer, the missionaries launched a small primary school the following year in 1844. This humble school in Badagry is recognized as Nigeria’s first formal primary institution.

The early school held classes under the shade of a tree with an attendance of about 40 boys and girls. Lessons focused mainly on teaching English, arithmetic, and Christianity. This modest beginning marked a turning point as missionary schools expanded to offer basic literacy and religious education.The First Primary School

By 1846, student attendance almost tripled to about 120 pupils. To accommodate the growing numbers, Rev. Gollmer oversaw the construction of a small mud-walled and thatched-roof schoolhouse. This symbolized progress in cementing primary education in Nigeria.

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Over the next decade, CMS schools continued spreading as more mission stations opened across the country. In 1855, the missionary group adopted a grants-in-aid policy to expand its educational reach by providing financial support to willing indigenous communities to establish their own schools. 

Outside Badagry, other early primary schools emerged around Lagos including a CMS girls’ school started in 1869. By 1900, there were at least 14 primary schools founded across Lagos. The CMS network also extended beyond the southwestern region.15 Best Peep-Toe Heels 2023

In eastern Nigeria, the CMS helped set up a primary school in Bonny in 1868. Scottish Presbyterian missionaries followed suit establishing primary schools in Calabar starting in the late 1840s. In northern Nigeria, the Church Missionary Society brought primary education to areas like Zaria in the 1900s.

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Therefore, although Badagry held the first school, primary education developed across Nigeria through combined missionary efforts. By Nigeria’s independence in 1960, enrollments in primary schools across the country reached well over 2 million students. 15 Best Diets for Men at Every Age

The oldest primary school still in continuous existence is the Cathedral School in Lagos founded in 1867. Originally named the St. Peter’s School, it was started by Rev. Nathaniel Temple Hamlyn of the Baptist Mission.

Other pioneering primary schools in Nigeria included:

•  Annie Walsh Memorial School, Freetown, Sierra Leone (1849) – founded by CMS missionaries from Nigeria, it educated many future Nigerian leaders. JAMB Portal
•  Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar (1895) – established by the Presbyterian Church to train teachers and evangelists.
•  Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri (1898) – originally started as the Hope Waddell Training Institute primary school.
•  Abeokuta Grammar School (1908) – one of the oldest secondary schools, it evolved from an earlier CMS primary school.

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•  Hussey College, Warri (1907)
• Kings College, Lagos (1909)
•  Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos (1878)
•  Baptist Academy, Lagos (1855)
•  Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha (1885)
• Scottish Church College, Calabar (1846) NYSC Portal
•  St. Andrew’s College, Oyo (1896)
•  Holy Trinity School, Onitsha (1903)
• St. Mathias School, Abeokuta (1896)

In the northern region, groundbreaking primary schools included:

•  Elementary School, Kano (1910) 200 romantic love message for her
•  Zaria Elementary School (1912)
•  Provincial School, Sokoto (1913)
•  Elementary School, Katsina (1916)

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These early schools mostly focused on basic literacy, numeracy, religious instruction, and character development. School terms were short and facilities simple. But they represented the origins of primary education in Nigeria.

The early missionary schools later came under government control in the 1920s and 30s. In the 1950s, Nigeria made a major push to expand mass education under the Universal Primary Education program. Nevertheless, those initial pioneering primary schools hold an important place in Nigeria’s history. 105 good morning messages

Conclusion

From humble beginnings under trees in Badagry and a handful of mission stations, Nigeria today has over 60,000 public primary schools educating millions of children nationwide. Though much progress has been made, Nigeria still faces challenges of access, quality, and resources in primary education. Reflecting on the earliest schools provides perspective on where efforts need to focus going forward to improve foundational learning for all Nigerian children.Super Eagles begin campaign with home game against Lesotho

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