News
Controversy erupts over transfer of Edo public schools to Catholic Mission
Published By
Paul Dada
Date
10th August, 2025
Quick Read
The government had in a statement by the State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, said the decision is in recognition of the Catholic Mission's contributions to the growth and advancement of education in the state.
By Jethro Ibileke
Stakeholders in education in Edo state have kicked against the hand over of four public schools to the Catholic Mission.
It would be recalled that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, had last week approved the takeover of the St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School, Benin City, Annunciation Catholic College (ACC), Irua, St. Angelas Girls Grammar School, Uzairue, and Obaseki Primary School (Formerly St Patrick’s Primary Schoo), Aiport Road, to the Catholic church.
The government had in a statement by the State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, said the decision is in recognition of the Catholic Mission’s contributions to the growth and advancement of education in the state.
“All students currently enrolled in these schools must be retained without discrimination.
“These students should be afforded quality education in line with modern standards, coupled with the moral values and discipline for which the Catholic Mission is renowned,” the statement said.
Reacting to the development, a civil right activist and coordinator of Edo State Civil Society Organisation (EDOSCO), Omobude Agho, accused the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, of not considering the ordinary people and their children or understand the interest of Edo people.
He noted that once the missionary takes over the schools, they becomes a private in operation and the children of the poor, the down trodden attending those schools will lose the right to quality education as they won’t be able to afford the fees.
“Those school were not built with Church money, but by the communities, that donated land and supported the building of the school infrastructure because they wanted schools in their communities, so those schools should be public schools continuously.
“This would affects the children of the less privilege attending those schools. It is pathetic that we have a government that is thinking this way,” Agho said.
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Catholic Mission
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