Profile of the Saint Louis Senior High School (SHS).

Profile of the Saint Louis Senior High School (SHS).

Saint Louis Senior High School (SHS) is a Ghanaian educational institution for girls in the Oduom suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

Profile of the Saint Louis SHS

History

Most Rev. Hubert Pailissen, SMA, in early 1949, said; "In this country, scarcely 15 percent of the school-going youth are girls. The people now begin to realize that more must be done in favour of this much–neglected part of the human race, and the chiefs, conscious of their duty towards their subjects, asked us to establish schools for girls in their respective villages…. But to obtain results, it is necessary that the direction of girls' schools should be in the hands of 'Sisters of a Teaching Order' with the necessary experience in the latest development of pedagogic methods."

Thus, the first St. Louis Sisters entered the nation on October 18, 1947. The St. Bernadette School, now known as the "Roman Girls," was an established primary school that they were to continue managing. Being true to their nature, the St. Louis Sisters—who never take anything lightly—made the decision to build a new secondary school on the same property.

When Saint Louis SHS debuted in 1952, it had 12 females enrolled at first. Out of this group, just a few made it to the second group in 1953, totaling forty-two. When the remaining group took their "O" Level Exam in December 1957, they numbered eleven.

The majority of the Sisters' salary, donations from the diocesan, and cash collected were used to build the property and buy the supplies that were required.

The church desired that the Apostolate of Education take on the crucial responsibility of developing robust and knowledgeable Christians who are able to significantly impact social and political matters. Maybe education for women needs more attention than any other field.

The value of "girl child" education was recognised by the Catholic Church and St. Louis long before it became a catchphrase. For this reason, the Church and the St. Louis Sisters have always approached education from a comprehensive standpoint.

Notwithstanding challenges with personnel and funding, the number of students enrolled increased. It was obvious that further accommodations were required. The necessary location was granted, and funding came from the Diocese and the Sisters, thanks to the generosity of Nana Osei Agyemang Prempeh II, the Asantehene of blessed memory at the time.

Inspectors' subsequent reports attested to the Sisters' superior instruction. The school's "air of efficiency" and "very good organisation and discipline" were praised in these assessments. In 1960, the Ministry of Education expressed their desire for the Sisters to establish a Training College at the location of Saint Louis SHS, based on these praises. During that year, 1960, St. Louis Secondary School had a relocation to its current location. On March 25, 1960, the feast day of the Annunciation, the late Otumfuo Osei Agyemang Prempeh II, Asantehene, lay the foundation stone, which was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Andrew van den Bronk (SMA), the Bishop of Kumasi at the time.

The Sixth Form Arts class started off with five students in the same year. The Administration Block was constructed and dedicated to the "Annunciation" in 1964, fittingly (because we have good news to convey). The growing demands of the school led to the construction of other structures. The Sixth Form Science track was established in 1964. The butterfly collection with Sister Elizabeth (Mary Roch) and Sr. Philomena McGuinness (Mary Iosagan), the enjoyable singing and music instruction that left such a rich legacy, and the thought-provoking drama production will all be remembered by former pupils. Together with Sr. Aideen, there was also general landscaping, shrub planting, and shade tree planting. The school now contains a library complex among many other structures.

Community Outreach

To attend to the shortage of missionary priests and nuns, the students formed a strong lay apostolate to go to the outlying compounds to teach Catechism, prepare candidates for Baptism, and visit lapsed Christians to re-awaken their faith. Students also got an opportunity to broaden their outlook by visiting neighbouring countries.

In the early 1970s the Saint Louis SHS began admitting boys into Sixth Form. This continued until the early 1980s when the program ended due to the problem of control.

Alliance

Saint Louis SHS maintains an ongoing alliance with the Opoku Ware Senior High School, popularly called AkataSlopsa.

Related Link: St. Rose's SHS: History, Alumni & Achievements.

Also Read: The Hogbetsotso festival of the people of Anlo.

Source: HR Forum News