Stakeholders in the education sector in Edo State have continued to knock the State Government over its plans to handover 36 schools to the Catholic mission in the state.

Ekwutosblog reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo had on Monday, June 16, 2025, during a meeting with Bishop Gabriel Dunia of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, announced the handover of eight schools in the Edo North senatorial district to the missionary organisations.

The announcement had generated a lot of reactions among the stakeholders, condemning the governor’s actions, which they noted did not get their blessings.

With the additional 28 schools making it 36 across the three Senatorial districts to be handed over to the Catholic Church, more stakeholders have joined in the condemnation of the governor for the decision.

Among the stakeholders are the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, AOPSHON, and the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, MMPN, Edo State chapters.

In a joint letter to the state government, the leadership of NUT, ANCOPSS, and AOPSHON expressed concern and disagreement over the decision of the government to hand over the Catholic Missionary Schools to their original owners.

The letter was signed by Bernard Gbenga Ajobiewe, Aremu Rasheed Mayaki, Enomwonbor Osahon Julius, and Efairibhor Peter, the heads of the various unions in the education sector in the state.

They noted that the move may seem like a positive step towards restoring autonomy and promoting religious freedom but it poses significant dangers to the education sector and the state as a whole.

“If these schools are handed over to the Catholic Faith, what is the fate of the common man’s child who cannot even afford two good meals a day. What does the Catholic Church want to do with these schools?

“Will whatever they want to do be in the interest of the common man? Religion, they say, is meant to make us and not to mar us.

“The Catholic Missionary Schools prioritize 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, and the poor Nigerians.

“Handover may create tension between different religious groups, potentially leading to conflicts and undermining the State’s efforts to promote interfaith harmony.

“Their monthly salary to teachers is very poor so they hardly ever employ qualified teachers and other personnel.

“What then happens to government workers in these schools? Will they be transferred to other schools or laid off? They queried.

The union opined that the governor’s decision would set a precedent for other religious groups like the Anglican Communion. Baptist Church, Apostolic Faith, and the Muslim faith to demand control over schools.

They noted that the development may potentially lead to a fragmentation of the education system, undermining the state’s ability to provide quality education to all citizens.

The union urged the Governor to reconsider the decision and instead work towards strengthening the public education system, ensuring that students have access to quality, inclusive, and secular education.

They also advised the governor to suspend any decision to hand over schools to religious organizations pending due consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

On its part, the State chapter of the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, MMPN, opined that reversing the policy would inadvertently undermine the hard-won achievements of government investment in the education sector over the years.

The statement signed by Usman Aliyu, secretary noted that historically, in both the pre-and immediate post-independence eras, mission-owned schools, despite their pioneering efforts, often operated with significant limitations.

The body listed some of the limitations to include inconsistent educational standards, inadequate funding, and, critically, a pervasive religious bias.

“We appeal to Your Excellency to engage in extensive and inclusive consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including representatives of Muslim organisations, community leaders, educational experts, and civil society groups, before proceeding with any changes.

“We believe that a truly comprehensive dialogue is indispensable for arriving at a decision that genuinely serves the best interests of every Edo State citizen”, he added.