Edo: Proposed return of mission schools and matters arising

Edo: Proposed return of mission schools and matters arising

By Usman Aliyu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

On June 16, Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo announced the state government’s plan to handover some public schools in the state to their original missionary owners.

Okpebholo broke the news during a courtesy visit by Bishop Gabriel Dunia of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi.

Dunia, had in his appeal, said previous governments in the state failed to respond positively to multiple requests by the Church for the return of its educational institutions.

The bishop emphasised that the schools were vital for both academic excellence and the moral upbringing needed to shape responsible, value-driven citizens in society.

In a follow-up press statement to the pronouncement, Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, listed 36 schools, which are spread across the state that will be handed over to the Catholic mission.

However, no sooner had the news broke out than it ignited a wave of strong reactions from a cross-section of stakeholders.

The stakeholders argue that such an action could erode equitable access to education, deepen religious tensions, and reverse decades of public investment in secular education.

While Okpebholo has yet to formally present a policy document outlining the modalities of the proposed handover, the pronouncement has triggered concerns across religious, civil society, and education sectors.

Teachers’ unions, Islamic organisations, and development advocates have all expressed apprehension about the broader implications of the move.

In a letter addressed to the governor, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) in the state warned that the handover of schools could set a dangerous precedent and ultimately undermine the state’s education system.

The letter was jointly signed by Comrades Bernard Ajobiewe, NUT State Chairman, Rasheed Mayaki, NUT State Secretary, Enomwonbor Julius, ANCOPSS State President, and Efairibhor Peter, AOPSHON State Chairman.

The unions argued that the decision would restrict access to education, especially for children from poor backgrounds, and may result in job losses for government-employed teachers.

“Catholic Missionary Schools prioritise religious instruction over secular education, potentially undermining the State’s efforts to provide inclusive education.

“Catholic Schools are known for charging exorbitant school fees, limiting opportunities for children of poor Nigerians.”

The letter also highlighted the logistical implications, listing key schools in Edo-North that, if returned to missionary control, would leave communities without accessible alternatives.

“For example, Our Lady of Fatima College and St. Angela’s Girls Grammar School, Auchi, are the only government schools serving Jattu.

“If they are handed over, the nearest school is over six kilometers away—a violation of the UBE law,” the unions said.

They cautioned that if the Catholic Church reclaimed the schools, other religious bodies such as the Anglican Communion and Muslim organisations would demand similar treatment, leading to the fragmentation of the public education system.

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Sharing the similar concerns, the Edo Council for Islamic Affairs, the umbrella body of Muslim organisations in the state, warned that the proposed handover could deny many students access to free, non-religious education and create conditions for religious marginalisation.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, the council appealed to the governor to shelve the plan pending wider consultations.

“Muslims and others who do not share the Catholic faith are apprehensive about this proposal due to its potential implications.

“The government has over time invested in these schools, providing benefits to all residents regardless of their religious affiliations.”

The council warned that the change could lead to increased school dropouts due to unaffordable fees and lack of alternatives.

“Not every individual or family can afford private school; this will lead to an increase in school dropouts for those who don’t have alternatives.

“The possibility of non-Catholic children being forced to imbibe principles at variance with their present faith when there are no alternatives cannot be ruled out,” Igbinidu said.

The council urged the state government to consult extensively with all stakeholders and ensure that any changes made did not upset the current religious harmony in the state.

Also, in its position, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Edo chapter, issued a statement opposing the policy.

The organisation cited historical and socio-political contexts that justified the initial government takeover of missionary schools in the 1970s.

“The takeover was a progressive step aimed at establishing an education system rooted in fairness, accessibility for all, and the recognition of Edo’s diverse, multi-religious populace.”

The group cautioned that handing back public schools to missionary control could reintroduce systemic bias and reduce educational opportunities for non-Christian students.

“Mission-owned schools, despite their pioneering efforts, often operated with significant limitations, including religious bias in admissions and staff appointments.

“These institutions have been maintained and developed with taxpayer funds for over five decades.”

Instead of a reversal, the MMPN called for a strengthening of the public education system, improved funding, and inclusive moral instruction that respects all faiths.

“We urge your administration to explore avenues for strengthening existing public education through enhanced funding, fostering community-government partnerships, and ensuring moral instructions that encompass the diversity of all faiths,”  MMPN Secretary, Usman Abdullahi, said.

On his part, Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), warned against any form of policy that abdicated the state’s responsibility in ensuring access to quality education.

“The decision should help to strengthen the opportunity to create access to education and address challenges and quality issues.

“The government should not abdicate responsibility, but should consider the cost and benefits analysis and provide alternatives for those currently struggling to access educations who are not Christian or Muslim,” Ugolor said.

According to him, the state must offer equal opportunity to all residents as no one should be left behind.

Nonetheless, Dunia further buttressed the government’s gesture.

He described the government’s move as welcome development with gratitude and renewed hope.

The bishop said that the schools were forcefully taken over by the government in the 1970s, which failed to return them despite the repeated appeals to successive administrations.

“This is a bold and commendable move by Okpebholo; today, we are witnessing a change that aligns with the original vision of our mission.’’

The bishop reiterated the strategic and moral significance of the schools to the mission of the Church, stressing their dual role in academic development and ethical formation.

“These institutions were not established solely to educate the mind but also to form character.

“An ideal moral character constitutes the bedrock of a good society.”

According to him, the development revives a precedent set by former Gov. Lucky Igbinedion, who facilitated the return of several mission-founded schools, including Immaculate Conception College, Edo College, Baptist Girls’ School, and Eghosa Grammar School to their respective religious owners.

As against the criticism, he said the decision was a step towards addressing long-standing grievances and restoring the integrity of faith-based education in the state.

Many education stakeholders, he said, understood that returning the schools to their original proprietors could help revive standards and values that had gradually eroded under decades of public administration.

“With the establishment of a dedicated committee to guide the process, the state government appears committed to a thorough and collaborative approach that balances educational quality, infrastructure development, and community interests,’’ he said.

While acknowledging the historical role of religious missions in education, stakeholders believe the state’s priority should be to expand and strengthen a secular, inclusive education system and not to fragment it along religious lines.

In the state where more than 74,000 children are out of school according to the UNESCO report, observers hold that the potential handover can affect thousands of students, hundreds of public sector workers, disrupt access to free education, and strain interfaith relations.

While the Church rates the decision as the best for moral and core societal value revival, others are calling on the Edo Government to halt the plan and initiate broad-based consultations in other to preserve equity, protect secular principles, and maintain public trust.(NANFeatures)