Methodist Boys Alumni Commissions New 18-Classroom Block, Reverts to Single-Shift System  

By Alvin Lansana Kargbo

The Methodist Boys High School (MBHS) Alumni Association officially handed over an 18-classroom block to the Board, Management, Staff and Pupils, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s history. The new building, named the “Matthew Dingie Building”, in honor of the Alumni Association’s current President, was inaugurated during a ceremony held on the school premises in Kissy Mess Mess, Freetown on the 6^th September, 2024. The event also saw the official launch of the school’s return to a single-shift system, set to take effect in the upcoming academic year.

The keynote address was delivered by the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, who expressed optimism for the future and emphasized the importance of education as the cornerstone of national development. He highlighted the role of the new classroom block in shaping the futures of young men and recognized the efforts of the MBHS Alumni Association and other stakeholders in making this project a reality.

Quoting Nelson Mandela, the Minister remarked, “Education is a powerful tool for change.” He underscored the benefits of the new structure, which is expected to enhance the learning experience and better prepare pupils for a competitive global environment. The Minister also commented on the return to a single-shift system, a move he described as crucial for maintaining academic excellence. He anticipated this system to improve academic performance and overall student well-being by allowing more time for pupil-teacher interaction, extracurricular activities and personal development.

Conrad Sackey concluded his speech by expressing gratitude to the alumni association, school administration, teachers, parents and pupils for their collective commitment to the school’s future. He encouraged all involved to honor this dedication by supporting pupils in reaching their full potential.

Matthew Dingie, the President of the MBHS Alumni Association, outlined the significant efforts made to rebrand and revitalize the school over the past three years. He explained that the initiative began in 2022 during the school’s 148th anniversary celebration. At that time, the school’s infrastructure had severely deteriorated due to the introduction of a two-shift system and a surge in enrollment, which strained discipline and facility maintenance. In response, the decision was made to construct additional classrooms and revert to a single-shift system.

The alumni President also highlighted other achievements in the rebranding process, including the procurement of new instruments for the school band, which played a pivotal role in the 150th anniversary celebrations. He detailed future plans for continued rebranding, which include issuing alphanumeric admission numbers to all pupils that will effectively start this coming academic year, ensuring that all teachers and students have national identification numbers and introducing school ID cards to improve identification and discipline.

He additionally noted that the school aims to enhance the use of technology in administrative functions and computerize continuous assessment grades to ensure timely submissions to the West African Examination Council (WAEC). As a Christian institution, he said, the MBHS plans to reinstate morning devotions and other religious activities and to procure school buses for both teachers and students. Future projects also include constructing volleyball and basketball courts, refurbishing the football field and providing every teacher with a bag of rice each month, starting in September this year.

Moses Conteh, the Principal for the Senior Secondary School (SSS), expressed immense gratitude to the alumni, partners and educational stakeholders for making these achievements possible. He noted a significant improvement in external examination results over the past five years and expressed confidence that the new system would lead to even better outcomes. However, he also emphasized the need for staff to double their efforts to achieve the school’s goals, uphold its traditions and maintain high standards.

Addressing parents, the SSS Principal stressed the importance of their involvement, particularly in understanding the changes brought about by the single-shift system. He urged parents to attend PTA meetings to stay informed and support their children’s success further cautioning against complacency, noting that only the most qualified pupils would advance and encouraged parents to motivate their children to seize the educational opportunities provided by the school.

The inauguration of the Matthew Dingie Building and the return to a single-shift system symbolize a new chapter in the history of Methodist Boys High School, one focused on academic excellence, character development and holistic education.