QRC Okoyong is “the Cradle of girls education in Cameroon”
As the adage goes, “Developing a woman implies developing a nation.” In the early 1950s, education for girls was a privilege in most African societies, as cultural norms often confined a woman’s role to the home. Thanks to the inspiration and vision of Bishops Joseph Shanahan and Peter Rogan, there was a growing recognition that women played—and would continue to play—an integral role in society.
In 1952, Bishop Rogan, the first Bishop of the Buea Diocese, conceived the idea of establishing a girls’ secondary school in Southern Cameroon. His request was granted by the Cameroon government on August 24, 1955, marking the beginning of the journey to establish an all-girls secondary school focused on general education in Okoyong, a village six kilometers from Mamfe and not far from the Cross River.
Following extensive negotiations with local authorities, Bishop Rogan invited the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, who arrived from Enugu, Nigeria, in March 1956. The pioneering Sisters were Mother Aquinas (later known as Sr. Catherine Kelly), Rev. Sr. Louis, and Rev. Sr. Reginald.
On Saturday, April 28, 1956, the school opened in the brick building with the arrival of its first 18 girls on campus. Formal classes began on May 4, 1956, with an enrollment of 26 students. Rev. Sr. Catherine Kelly (then Mother Aquinas) served as the pioneer Principal.
QRC Okoyong began as a comprehensive school. In addition to secondary school subjects, the girls studied Religion, Typing, Shorthand, Music, Cookery, Needlework, and House Craft. Some of these subjects continue to be featured in the school curriculum. Dr. E.M.L. Endeley, Prime Minister at the time, Dr. John Ngu Foncha, and Chief Dr. A. D. Mengot, Cultural Delegate of Education, further supported teaching and learning by providing scholarships to students.
In 1961, the pioneer students sat for the West African School Certificate of Education (WASCE) and passed with flying colors. Similar outstanding results were recorded in subsequent years. After a decade, instead of the WASCE, the 1960/61 transition class sat for the London GCE in 1966. In 1977, students began sitting for the Cameroon GCE.
The administration of QRC remained under the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary until July 25, 1988, when they handed over leadership to the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, a congregation from Nigeria invited by His Lordship Pius Suh Awa, Bishop of the Buea Diocese and, at the time, Proprietor of QRC Okoyong.
Under the leadership of the Handmaid Sisters, QRC was granted permission to open a second cycle in May 1990, elevating the institution to a complete high school.
When the Diocese of Mamfe was established in 1999, His Lordship Bishop Francis Teke Lysinge, the new Bishop of Mamfe, succeeded Bishop Awa as Proprietor of QRC Okoyong. Rev. Sister Agnes Olayode, an ex-student of QRC Okoyong, became Principal.
On January 25, 2014, Bishop Andrew Nkea became Bishop of Mamfe and Proprietor of QRC Okoyong following the retirement of Bishop Lysinge.
Here is the lates GCE O/Levels & A/Leve Results for results of 2026
