The Edo State Civil Society Organisation (EDOCSO) has strongly criticized Governor Monday Okpebholo's decision to hand over four public schools to the Catholic Mission, describing the move as undemocratic and detrimental to underprivileged students.
Leftist Agho Omobude, coordinator of EDOCSO, expressed concern that the governor's unilateral action contradicts democratic principles of popular participation and fails to consider the interests of ordinary citizens whose children attend these institutions.
"Those schools were not built with church money but by the communities, which donated land and supported the building of the school infrastructure because they wanted schools in their communities, so those schools should be public continuously," Omobude stated.
He further warned about the implications of this transfer: "Once the missionary takes over the schools, they become private institutions and the children of the poor, the downtrodden attending those schools will lose the right to quality education as they won't be able to afford the fees."
Schools Affected by the Transfer
Last week, Governor Okpebholo handed over four educational institutions to the Catholic Mission: St Maria Goretti Girls' Grammar School in Benin City, Annunciation Catholic College in Irua, St Angela's Girls' Grammar School in Uzairue, and Obaseki Primary School (formerly St Patrick's Primary School) on Airport Road.
The governor, through Commissioner for Education Paddy Iyamu, justified the decision as recognition of the Catholic Mission's contributions to educational advancement in Edo State. The government assured that all currently enrolled students must be retained without discrimination and provided with quality education that incorporates the moral values and discipline associated with Catholic education.
However, EDOCSO remains unconvinced, with Omobude lamenting, "It is pathetic that we have a government that is thinking this way." The organization argues that the transfer effectively privatizes public assets and could create barriers to education for families who cannot afford potential fee increases.
This controversy adds to recent tensions in Edo State's governance, with the opposition also criticizing other aspects of Okpebholo's administration, including allegations of excessive spending on trips and training without corresponding benefits to the state.
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