The Nigeria Union of Teachers, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, on Thursday, faulted the planned return of schools to missionaries by the Edo State government.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had on June 16 announced the plan when Bishop Gabriel Dunia of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi paid him a courtesy visit.
The plan will see 36 public schools handed over to the missionaries.
The letter was jointly signed by NUT state chairman, Bernard Ajobiewe; NUT state secretary, Rasheed Mayaki, ANCOPSS state president, Osahon Julius; and AOPSHON state chairman, Efairibhor Peter.
They held that the return of schools could undermine inclusive education and strain interfaith harmony.
The unions called for the suspension of the policy, demanding broad consultations with stakeholders before any decision was taken.
The statement read, “We strongly advise that any decision to hand over schools to religious organisations should be suspended pending due consultation.”
The unions noted that the handover could jeopardise secular education, worsen access for poor children, and trigger religious tension across the state.
They noted that the government’s involvement in education ensured that it was accessible, affordable to all and secular.
By handing over these schools to their original owners, we risk a loss of secular education, decreased accessibility, and potential for religious conflict,” the statement further read.
The union, which noted that missionary schools are reputable for charging high fees and prioritising religious instruction, said such a decision could exclude children from poor backgrounds and deviate from government education standards.
The letter added, “The handover of schools to Catholics would set a precedent, leading to demand control of schools by other religious groups, including the Anglican Communion and Muslim organisations.”
They listed additional schools that other religious groups may seek to reclaim, including Anglican Grammar School Igarra, Ikpomaza Grammar School Okpella, and Ansaru Deen Grammar School Agbede, among others.
The unions urged the governor to reconsider this decision and instead work towards strengthening the public education system.
They argued that, in many communities, the missionary schools were the only government secondary schools serving vast catchment areas.
“For instance, St. Joseph’s Grammar School in Otuo serves seven quarters. If it is returned, there will be no government school left in the area.
“Children would have to trek far distances to the next available school, which violates the Universal Basic Education law,” the letter read.