page_title: Methodist Boys' High School, Oron
section_title: Early Curriculum and Development
hierarchical_section_title: Methodist Boys' High School, Oron / Early Curriculum and Development
caption_attribution_description: English: MBHS Oron Academic Block
context_page_description: Methodist Boys’ High School Oron, Nigeria was established on 18 September 1905 following a proposal by Rev. Nathaniel Boocock a Primitive Methodist Church Minister whose pioneering works in the west coast of Africa also contributed in creating the Missions at Bottler Point, Urua Eye and Adadia. Initially named Oron Training Institute, the school was established in order to turn the brightest schoolboys into teachers, and in the hope that some of them might eventually become Ministers. Besides the prominence given to evangelism, the institute was also to offer general education which may include instruction in carpentry and other useful trades. The ethos of the school was that of an English public school, character training through religion receiving high priority. Right from the time the school was established; it has undergone several transformations from Teachers Training School to Primary School, High School, Comprehensive High School, and its present status as a Junior & Senior Secondary Schools. Following the return of Mission Schools in Akwa Ibom State to their original owners in 2006, management of MBHS Oron was handed back to the Methodist Mission.
context_section_description: Between 1905 and now, the school have witnessed development in all aspects of life. At commencement, the curriculum comprised elementary school subjects, teaching methods and preaching. At some point, the syllabus was revised to include lessons in printing, bookbinding, carpentry, and elementary sciences. In 1955, the school had on roll 170 boys and 12 teachers. While the school has been an all-boys school from inception, girls were later admitted to be part of the two-year Higher Certificate (Arts) classes (Forms 6 and 7). Higher School Certificate (Science) course was later added in January 1963. By February 1977 according to the school records, enrolment was 888 (718 boarders, 170 day students). Among the boarders there were 17 girls, all belonging to the Higher School Certificate (Arts) Course. Tremendous growth was also witnessed in all spheres of sports activities with the introduction of new games like cricket, quoits, inter-class/inter-school football matches, etc. A report in 1962 had it that, the athletics team consistently gave a good account of themselves in the Provincial A.A.A. and Wilson PARNABY sport meetings. As at 1980 the students population grew to 1099 with 30 teachers. Joint inter-house sports competition and Sunday service with the sister school, Mary Hanney Secondary School had since assumed a regular feature.
  School Uniform
  
  One of the distinctive marks of MBHS Oron students is their uniform – Initially, a jacket with a pocket batch and the Institute's cap were used. Later years saw alteration in the following uniform combinations which has remained signature colors for the school; white shirt on either of brown khaki shorts/trousers, white shorts/trousers, or maroon shorts/trousers for junior and senior students respectively. These are complemented with a maroon blazer or half jacket (with a pocket batch) especially during ceremonial outings. The later is also adopted by the Alumni as their dress code during official functions. For evening wears, orange shirt on grey coloured shorts/trousers are worn, while white shirt (preferably long sleeves) on white trousers are also used during Sunday Services. In all of these, girls in the Higher School Certificate Classes wore skirts in place of shorts or trousers. Students have also been spotted using maroon tie or bow-ties in some occasions. 
  During annual Inter-house sports competition, the different halls of residence (hostels)  are identified by their distinctive uniforms which come in the following colors; Ward House (green), Banham House (white), Groves House (yellow), Boocock House (maroon or orange), Okpo House (royal blue), Wiles House (purple), and Nkposong House (red).
  Halls of Residence (Hostels) 
  
  Banham House, Boocock House, Groves House, Nkposong House, Okpo House, Ward House & Wiles House.
  School Hymn (The Anchor) 
  
  Will your anchor hold in the storms of life
  
  When the clouds unfold their wings of strife
  
  When the strong tides lift and the cables strain
  
  Will your anchor drift or firm remain
  
  We have an anchor that keeps the soul
  
  Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
  
  Fasten to the Rock which cannot move
  
  Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love
  Heritage Sites
  House of Shaws (Mission House)
  The Green Castle (Babylon Building)
  MBHS Colonial Jetty by Esuk Mma Beach
  The Academic Well
  Ukpata Stream
  Old and New Chapels
  Mary Hanney's Tombstone
  Love Garden
  The Almond Tree
  The Quadrangle
caption: Academic Block
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