FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Stakeholders in the education sector in Edo State have faulted the move by the state government to return some public schools to their original missionary owners.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that Governor Monday Okpebholo had announced this on June 16 when Bishop Gabriel Dunia of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi visited him.
In reaction, the unions, comprising Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, AOPSHON, in a letter dated June 24, kicked against the decision.
The letter jointly signed by the NUT State Chairman; Comrade Bernard Ajobiewe, NUT State Secretary; Comrade Rasheed Mayaki, ANCOPSS State President, Comrade Osahon Julius and the AOPSHON State Chairman, Comrade Efairibhor Peter and made available to newsmen yesterday, noted that the hand over could jeopardise secular education, worsen access for poor children and trigger religious tension across the state.
“Government’s involvement ensured that education is accessible, affordable and secular.
“By handing over these schools to their original owners, we risk loss of secular education, decreased accessibility and potential for religious conflict,” they said.
According to them, the return of schools could undermine inclusive education and strain interfaith harmony.
They cited missionary schools reputation for charging high fees and prioritising religious instruction.
This, they argued could exclude children from poor backgrounds and deviate from government’s educational standard.
They also raised fear that the hand over to the Catholic Church would set a precedent, leading other religious groups, including the Anglican Communion and Muslim organisations, to demand control of schools.
According to them, the action will result in “the fragmentation of the educational system.”
They queried whether they would be transferred or laid off, expressing concern over the fate of teachers currently employed in the affected institutions.
The unions warned that in many communities, missionary schools are the only government secondary schools serving vast catchment areas.
They urged the governor to reconsider the decision and instead, work towards strengthening public education system.
