For a while after the Dutch had taken Elmina from the Portuguese in 1637, they also operated a school, but teaching soon came to a halt and was not reestablished until the early 19th century.

In 1837, Arie Pette was sent as teacher to the Gold Coast, but he perished soon after arrival during the military campaign against the Ahanta organised by governor Hendrik Tonneboeijer.

[2] Continuous education at the government school started when Melchior Eland took office as headmaster on 11 December 1847.

In 1859, a sewing and knitting school for girls was started by Hiltje Winsemius, spouse of the pastor of Elmina.

The government school in Elmina was closed after the transfer of sovereignty of the Dutch possessions on the Gold Coast to the United Kingdom on 6 April 1872.