Ekiti Parents, Youths Demand Takeover Of Schools From Missionaries

Parents and guardians in Ekiti town have appealed to the Ekiti State government to take over the administration of some secondary schools in the town from missionaries.

The Ikere- Ekiti stakeholders premised their demand on the perceived misadministration and ineffective running of the schools handed over to the missionaries by the state government some years ago.

The secondary schools in question are, Annunciation School, African Comprehensive High School and Saint Louis Grammar School, all in Ikere Ekiti.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP, a parent, Mrs Margaret Olaoye whose child is a student of one of the schools said the schools are fast dying as enrollment of students keep going down since the take-over of the missionaries.

She said, “People are no longer interested in enrolling their children and wards in the schools which may not be unconnected with the increment in the school fees students are paying since the take-over. It will be better if the state government can reclaim the schools again for proper and seamless administration that will be acceptable to the people of the town”.

Another parent in the town, Mr James Alonge said the schools are poorly managed, calling on the state government to take over the schools again for proper running.

He said, “The deplorable condition of the schools is deplorable and is adding to the plight of the primary school leavers seeking admission into secondary schools in the town”.

The youths of the town , under the aegis of Supreme Council of Ikere Youth had last week staged a peaceful protest to palace of Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado to help impress it on the state government the need to reclaim the three secondary schools from the missionaries for proper administration.

The President of the group, Chief Akin Afuye alleged that facilities in the three schools are under utilized and many have been abandoned and taken over by bushes.

Afuye said the state government retaking of the schools is to ensure proper management and to promote the free education policy of the state government.