Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro
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[edit] History
Just after Nigeria attained independence in 1960, the authorities began to consider the problem of manpower needs and the desirability of having a secondary school system more closely related to such needs.
A nation-wide review of the secondary school system was undertaken, arising from both direct initiative and external advice. Sixth form work in science subjects was given top priority together with the introduction of technical streams at the school-certificate level.
The then Western Region government, with external assistance from USAID (Harvard University) who provided staffing resources and Ford Foundation (who provided funding until 1973), established Comprehensive High School Aiyetoro in February of 1963.
The school was the first Comprehensive High School in the country, situated on a 171-hectare land, 37 kilometers west of Abeokuta; it was founded as an experiment based on the philosophy proposed by the now belated founders, the Dr. Adam Skapski, Chief B. Somade, Judson T. Shaplin and John Monro “Champion of the disadvantaged, as contained in an April 21, 1962 article published in the Harvard College, Cambridge, MA daily newspaper “Harvard Crimson” [1]
The philosophy was designed to achieve three goals: Serving the educational needs and potentialities of every child: Providing education which is relevant to the Technical, Economic, Social and Scientific needs of the society, as well as developing democratically minded citizens who would be aware of their country's social, economic and political problems in the present world situations.
At inception, the school was made up largely of lecturers from Harvard University and other renowned institutions in the United States of America as well as education officers from the then Western Region Government service took off with about 70 students.
Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro had definitely benefited from the services of the best hands in the educational ministry as well as renowned educationists going by the list of officers who have served there. Also, the immense foreign support provided for the school in funds, personnel and materials contributed enormously to the achievements of the school.
The school is in no doubt the precursor of the 6-3-3-4 system of education and largely responsible for the popularity of comprehensive education in the country.
"Compro" as fondly referred to by many, especially its past student has produced many old students who now occupy very sensitive positions in the society both in Nigeria and abroad.
[edit] School Logo
[edit] Principals of CHSA since inception in 1963:
1. Dr. John SLY 1963 – 1964
2. Chief J.B.O OJO 1964 – 1968
3. Dr. D.J BULLOCK 1968 – 1970
4. Mr. L.A SOFENWA 1970 – 1974
5. Dr. M.O ALAFE-ALUKO 1974 – 1976
6. Mr. G.O KEHINDE 1976 – 1978
7. Mr. S.A IBIKUNLE 1978 – 1982
8. Deacon G.O ADEKUNTE 1982 – 1986
9. Mr. J.O IDOWO 1986 - 1990
10. Chief P.A OLALEYE 1991 - 1995
11. Mr. T.O OLANREWAJU 1995 - 2001
12. Elder J.A IDOWU 2001 - Date
[edit] Our Benefactors
Late Chief H.M.B Somade – Visionary (Former Chief Inspector of Education, Western State of Nigeria)
Late Adam Stanislaw Skapski Former USAID Staff & Ford Foundation Education Advisor). According to Chief Somade, without Dr. Skapski there would never have been any Aiyetoro Comprehensive High School. His prodigious energy, knowledge and devotion to the course of education progress in Nigeria endeared him in the hearts of many in the education field throughout the country.
The Late Dr. Adam Skapski was buried on the campus of CHSA.
Late Lt.-Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi – The first Military Governor of Western State; As a tribute to his work in Aiyetoro and in the field of Technical Education in the state, the Technical Block at the school was named after him.
Dean Shaplin – Former Associate Dean , Harvard University Graduate school of Education. He was involved in the desegregation of public schools with the then US Secretary of Education Francis Keppel during the JFK regime.
Late Professor Fletcher-Watson – Harvard Professor, He developed Science curriculum at CHSA
Professor Munroe – Harvard University (He was described as a Champion of the Disadvantaged)
Late Chief M.K.O Abiola The selfless Compro Parent who was present and active at almost all events on campus in the late 70’s; MKO as he was fondly called did a lot for the school, notably the building of the school Clinic and the donation of a school Bus.
President Olusegun Obasanjo During his farewell tour of Ogun state as the outgoing Military Head of State of Nigeria in 1979, General Obasanjo toured the campus of CHSA and was so impressed that he described the school as the best of its kind in Africa.
He then donated the sum of One Million Naira “1,000,000” towards the school on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Note: In 1979 the exchange rate of the Naira to US Dollar was at 60 Kobo to 1 US Dollar. Reference - Naira to Dollar Exchange Rate History
All the members of Staff who have passed through the school
[edit] School Hostels
• Crimson
• Blue
• Green
• Girls Hostel 1
• Girls Hostel 2
[edit] School song
1. [Land of our birth, we pledge to thee
our love and toil in the years to be,
when we are grown and take our place
as men and women with our race.]
2. Father in heaven, who lovest all,
O help thy children when they call,
that they may build from age to age
an undefiled heritage.
3. Teach us to bear the yoke in youth,
with steadfastness and careful truth,
that, in our time, thy grace may give
the truth whereby the nations live.
4. Teach us to rule ourselves always,
controlled and cleanly night and day,
that we may bring, if need arise,
no maimed or worthless sacrifice.
5. Teach us to look in all our ends,
on thee for Judge, and not our friends,
that we, with thee, may walk uncowed
by fear or favor of the crowd.
6. [Land of our birth, our faith, our pride,
for whose dear sake our fathers died;
O Motherland, we pledge to thee
head, heart and hand through the years to be.]
[edit] Notable Alumnis:
Dr Olusegun Salako – OB-GYN (Former President ANPA - Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas [2])
