Sheila Mary Tuer facts for kids

Sheila Mary Solarin was a British educator who made a big difference in Nigeria. She was born Sheila Mary Tuer in 1924. In 2007, she received a special award called the MBE from Queen Elizabeth II. This award was for all her hard work in education in Nigeria. Sheila Solarin helped run the famous Mayflower School after her husband, Tai Solarin, passed away. She dedicated her life to making sure children could get a good education.

Early Life and Meeting Tai

Sheila met her future husband, Tai Solarin, after World War II. They were both serving in the military at that time. They fell in love and got married in 1951.

Building a School for Everyone

Starting a New Life in Nigeria

In 1952, Sheila and Tai decided to move to his home country, Nigeria. They both started working at Molusi College in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State. However, they soon realized they didn't agree with some of the school's rules, especially about politics and how religion was handled. They believed every child should have a chance to learn, no matter their background or beliefs.

Founding Mayflower School

Because they wanted to create a school that was open to everyone, Sheila and Tai decided to start their own. They left Molusi College in 1956 to follow their dream. On January 27, 1956, they opened the doors of the Mayflower School in Ikenne. This was a very important moment because it was the first school in Nigeria that was not connected to any religion. It was a place where all students were welcome.

Growing the School Community

To build the first classrooms, Sheila and Tai used special blocks made from clay. Each classroom could hold 36 students. The students themselves even helped build more classrooms! Sheila once said, "We didn't ask anybody what their ethnic background or religion was, we simply wanted to provide an education for all the children in the area."

As Mayflower School became more and more popular, Sheila and her husband worked hard to make it bigger. It grew into one of the largest schools in Nigeria, helping thousands of young people get an education.

Helping More Students Learn

In 1977, Sheila and Tai also created the Students' Second Home. This was a special boarding house where over two thousand students could live while attending the three public high schools in Ikenne. They also started the Mayflower Junior School, which was a private school for younger children, working alongside the main Mayflower School.

Sheila continued to lead the Mayflower School after her husband passed away. She finally retired when she was 80 years old, passing on the important work to her children.

Personal Life

Sheila and Tai Solarin had two children, a son named Corin and a daughter named Tunde. Sheila Solarin passed away on October 21, 2012, at the age of 88. Her legacy of providing education for all continues to inspire many.