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The Network of African Christian Journalists (NACJOURN) has commended the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on his determination to return all private schools in the state taken over by the government in the late 70s to their original owners.
The group with members across African countries in a statement signed by its President, Dr. Adebola Adewara and Secretary, Mr. Dayo Emmanuel, said, ‘”The taking over of schools from their original owners in the late 1970s has landed both the schools and governments in more significant troubles than they were meant to solve.”
Reading further, the statement states, “it was a wrong move for the Federal Government under General Olusegun Obasanjo to have contemplated and enforced the takeover because 40 years after, the purpose for the takeover has not been met, the schools have dwindled almost beyond repairs. The exercise has divided the nation badly, causing religious suspicion and altercations, leaving sorrows, tears and blood in its trails in many states of Nigeria.”
Continuing, the Network said, “Secondary schools in Nigeria today have become caricatures of what they should be. Many of these schools are now producing hooligans who beat their teachers and pass examinations through dirty means mainly because there is no adequate supervision from their owners; the Governments.
“State governments are over-burdened already. They cannot pay teachers’ salaries or equip the schools with modern science laboratories. Most secondary schools have no sporting activities like Inter-house sports. Schools are currently at the mercy of Parent/Teachers’ Associations and Old Students’ Associations. Secondary school education is in a suspended animation in many states of the federation. These states need to shed weight so they can live.”
Lamenting further the woes of the schools taken over by the Federal Military Government in their glorious days, NACJOURN continued that, “In many schools across the country, Alumni Associations, Parents Teachers Associations and host communities now contribute to pay teachers’ salaries as well as upgrade infrastructure, so what is left as the Government’s responsibility?
“Many of these PTAs and Alumni Associations are gradually getting tired. Should the state Governments continue to deceive themselves by still forcing these schools on themselves when they cannot even pay salaries and pensions?” The group queried.
The group however congratulates the Ondo State Government who seems to have emulated Lagos State that returned mission schools to their owners during the administration of Senator Bola Tinubu.
“It is within this matrix that we congratulate state governments like Lagos, Ondo and many more who are pragmatic enough to return private schools to their owners so that state governments could be free to use their meagre resources on other projects that would benefit everyone in the states,” it says.
The Network however cautions religious bodies or organisations that criticise the move of returning the schools taken over by the government.
“Individuals or organisations that feel returning these schools to their owners would not serve their interests are advised to be pragmatic and see beyond their narrow motives and perspectives. They are free to establish their own schools.
“We remind them that the schools taken over in the 1970s and now to be returned to their owners are not only Christian mission schools. Islamic schools, also taken over, would be returned. Their proprietors would be free to take care of them in free conscience.
“We, therefore, ask all and sundry to embrace this development in Ondo State and encourage all state governments to emulate the state so that we can revive secondary education which is the basis and foundation of the development of this country.”
