Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha was founded in October 7,1942 the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, by His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Charles Heerey, C.S.S.P, of blessed memory, the then Archbishop of Onitsha. The College was dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, with Rev. Sr. M. De Lourdes Buckley of the Holy Rosary congregation as the first Principal. The first site of the college was at Enugu, the capital of the Eastern Region of Nigeria. Later it was transferred to its present site at Oguta Road, Onitsha.

The college has produced many professionals in all sphere of life. They include Educationists, Lawyers, Doctors, Nurses, Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Professors, Reverend Sisters, successful business women, Politicians, Market Women, House wives to mention but a few. Queen of the Rosary College, (Q.R.C.), was and still is the pride of the Old Eastern Region of Nigeria and number one school in Anambra State.

QUEEN OF THE ROSARY COLLEGE BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR

Q.R.C. used to be a citadel of moral and academic excellence in all ramifications. She is one of the first, and most envied catholic school for girls in Nigeria in the “good old days”. During her glorious years, Q. R. C. students were known to be highly disciplined and excelled in academic performance as well as in extra – curricular activities. Parents from all works of life strived to send their children/wards to the school, because of the high reputation it has built over the years in academics, discipline and sports. In those lovely days, the aesthetics of the school compound and maintenance culture were held in high esteem. We know that a good and decent environment enhance dynamic, favorable and conducive environment for teaching and learning. It also helps to produce intelligent, enlightened, healthy and highly socialized human beings, who are fit to pursue higher education and become effective, integrated and productive members of the society. Taking a walk round the Q.R.C. compound, one will begin to wonder if this is the ‘Q’ she used to know, an academic environment, where future mothers are being formed?

AFTER THE CIVIL WAR

At the end of the Nigeria – Biafra War in 1970, the Government of Nigeria the then East Central State of Nigeria under the Late Anthony Ukpabi Asika took over all schools in the state, including Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha. Q.R.C. lost her glory when the government took over its management after the civil war. The school was left to deteriorate in infrastructure, discipline and aesthetics. There are completely decayed and dilapidated structures within the premises. The hostels where the students live are totally dehumanizing with leaking roof, no ceiling, fallen windows and doors. The floors are not left out in the dilapidation – pot holes here and there. The college has no refectory. Students share their food on the ground and eat while standing up. The school old refectory is now a death trap. Students take their bath outside, due to insufficient bathrooms. You can agree with me that science teaching without practical is no learning. Taking a look at our science laboratories, you will observe that they are still wearing the same look as in the early 70’s. In these Q.R.C. science laboratories, the teachers have resorted to using blocks to support the tables and stools. In view of all these problems, what is our vision for these young girls? Though the challenges facing us are many, they are surmountable.Now we have the birth of the new Era…….. THE MISSION.

THE VISION

‘A citadel with enhanced serene atmosphere conducive for moulding young girls to attain high moral and academic excellence and become exemplary women of tomorrow’.

OUR MISSION

‘To offer qualitative education in a wide range of subjects at junior and senior levels of education in order to achieve the following: To foster the harmonious development of the physical, moral, social, intellectual and spiritual endowment of young girls to actively and successfully participate in the present society. To help curb the moral decadence prevalent in our society and schools, by giving sound moral upbringing for young girls. To develop a team spirit in the life of our youths. To develop a team of empowered supervisors, administrators and teachers/facilitators for proper teaching and learning.

OUR CORE VALUES

Fear of God, Standing on truth and justice, Love of God and neighbour, Success through hardwork, Clean and decent environment, Proper sanitation, Aesthetics- beautification of the school environment and Staff welfare. Since the handover of schools to the mission, Q.R.C has received a lot of support from the Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke in the following areas: By giving us a Rev. Sr. Maria Chijioke Nwankwo to be our Principal, who is dynamic, focused and hardworking. Reconstruction of the students’ convenience with water system. Electrification of the pathways in the school compound and mounting of security lights at strategic point Renovation of the underground water reservoir and the basket ball pitch, Landscaping of the school quadrangle with flowers Construction of a modern canteen and incinerator, Overhauling and repair of the school generator and boreholes, Renovation, fencing and furnishing of the principal’s residence and office, Renovation of St. Lucy Hostel Re-roofing, re-painting and re-wiring of the main school block. It is true that there are a lot to be done to provide a suitable environment for productive activities to flourish, don’t be discouraged for a journey of one thousand miles begins with a step. Since the resumption of the college, she has witness’ 17 hardworking Principals both Religious and Lay faithful. The current Principal, Rev. Sr. Maria Chijioke Nwankwo took over the mantle of leadership from Lady Ekwenaibe T. N. On September, 2011. This era is till date. Let us join hands together for the up – keep of Q. R. C. Give your child the best academic and moral upbringing. You will be happy you did. God bless you.