Mater Dei Secondary School, Oraifite (MDSSO), is a focus driven Catholic Mission Secondary School under the management of the Vincentians. One of our primary focus is the all-round development of the young school age girls irrespective of background, ethnicity, or faith. Mater Dei is the Latin word for ‘Mother of God’. Bearing this in mind, the school, which is rightly situated in Ifite-Oraifite, along the Oraifite - Nnewi road popularly known as Nkwo- to- Nkwo, and sharing common boundaries with St. Georges Catholic Church, has continued to minister, just like a mother, to the academic, spiritual, physical, moral, social, and every other need of the adorable young females entrusted into our care.
Through sound, foresighted planning, a robust administrative machinery, targeted implementation of the basic and time-tested tenets of teaching and learning, and a very conducive learning environment characterised by a healthy teacher to student relationship, Mater Dei secondary school Oraifite has continued, for more than four decades, to produce enviable, top-of-the-list students who have proven their ability and willingness to demonstrate a high level of soundness in character, knowledge and skill. The school also boasts of highly dedicated, God fearing and innovative staff, all qualified in their respective disciplines, all in full-time contract basis.
Our motto is ‘Service to God and Humanity, {Severe Dei Et Humanitates) and this has been the driving force behind our numerous achievements and successes over time.
BRIEF HISTORY: Mater Dei Secondary School Oraifite was found on the 24th September, 1979 by the Rev Fr. Njoku A. N. having started as a Vocational School with a population of about hundred students, it had Rev. Fr. Tim Njoku as a Pioneer Principal.
On the 23rd of March 1989, the school was approved by the Anambra State Government with the approval number MOE/ANFE/26/VOL 11/190. After Fr. Tim Njoku’s tenure (1987 – 1989), the School has been very fortunate to have had the following as their Principals:
Rev. Fr. Richard Diala – 1989 – 1993
Rev. Fr. Robert Ogbeta – 1993 – 1994
Mrs Victoria Madueke – 1994 – 1996
Rev. Fr. Luke Nwamuo – 1996 – 1997
Rev. Fr. Peter Anyanwu – 1997 – 1999
Rev. Fr. Collins Ekpe – 1999 – 2001
Rev. Fr. Gabriel Okpala – 2001 – 2008
Rev. Fr. Tim Njoku – 2009 – 2013
Rev. Fr. Ben Okolo – 2013 – 2014
Rev. Fr. Gabriel Ugwunwangwu – 2014 – date.
In 1996, the school name was changed from Mater Dei Vocational School to Mater Dei Secondary School, and it was during this period that the School was approved by West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) as a Centre.
Thus on 10th May, 1997, during the tenure of Rev Fr. Luke Nwamuo, Mater Dei Secondary School sat their very First Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. Likewise in 1994, the First Junior West African Examination Council (WAEC) exam was taken in the school. Since then, the School has continued to take giant strides, conquering peaks upon peaks in our resolve to always offer the best.
MISSION: Our mission is geared towards transforming raw talents into formidable and goal-oriented skills in an environment characterized by hard-work, honesty, discipline and high moral standards.
VISION STATEMENT: To set the pace in qualitative and innovative product delivery, bearing in mind a future where the role of more women in Africa will dramatically change from only child bearing to policy formulation and decision-making.
ENVIROMENT: Our environment is secure, serene and conducive for learning. It is decorated with beautiful flowers, mango and almond trees provide shade and cool breeze. The school is fenced all-round, and a live-in security-man at the gate ensures visitors regulation and safety of students.
FACILITIES: Mater Dei Secondary School is equipped with state-of-the-art hostel, built and donated to the school by a kind patron in memory of his father. Large and airy classrooms assist our students to learn in comfort, and a clean-running tap water keeps them one more notch higher in personal and general hygiene. A well-stocked canteen takes care of any need that may take a student outside the school gate during school hour.
Our Computer Laboratory is well-equipped with modern Laptops, desktops, and comfortable seats for students practical, with a ratio of two students to one Laptop.
Most Science subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Agricultural have modern, well-equipped Laboratories, and the School also has added a new feather to its cap, with its latest successful experiment with a mini language Laboratory, Practical Oral English exercise and speaking and listening classes.
Our Library is well equipped with modern books of the present and newest editions, with a very good conducive environment for reading/learning.
At night, solar-powered lights keeps all nook and crannies as bright as day, and this is backed by the school’s heavy - duty generator, which daily gives electricity from 7 pm to lights out. For recreational and sporting activities, the school has a well-manicured, standard football pitch, for football marches, a volley ball court, and other indoor games like table tennis, scrabble and badminton.
ACHIEVEMENTS: The school has achieved tremendous success, both in the area of quantity assurance and positive character formulation.
Our students have continued to fly very high the mighty banners of this school, and our products have continued to excel in excellence, character and ability, which is not unconnected with the years of dedication, sacrifice and belief of both the staff and students.
Every year, our students record more than ninety nine percent success in the senior school certificate examination, and JAMB, and more than eight-seven percent of them gain admission into prestigious universities, studying the courses of their choices.
