Schools Better Run By Missions, Says Bishop Jude Arogundade

By Ayodele Oni

Controversy over return of public schools to their original owners in Ondo State continues as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, His Lordship, Jude Arogundade, described those against the policy as haters of the country.

Bishop Arogundade told journalists in Akure on Saturday, that objection being raised by some people would negatively affect education in the state.

Two schools; Aquinas College Akure and St. Louis Grammar School Ondo had been returned to the Catholic mission after the state government unfolded plan to return some of the schools.

The Muslim community while addressing newsmen in Akure, through the Chairman, League of Imams and Alfas, Ahmad Aladesawe had described the state government’s step as barbaric, unprogressive and one that posed serious danger to the development of education in the state.

Aladesawe alleged that the step was aimed at giving public property to empower some individuals and would deny Muslim children from going to such schools.

The Cleric threatened that the Muslims Community would seek legal action, if  the state government failed to rescind the decision.

Bishop Arogundade however described such objection as the one that would bring setback to the education sector.

“Those raising issue about our schools in Ondo state and other parts of the country don’t love this country.

“Can’t you see Aquinas College Akure crying for its owners ? Just look at Aquinas College. The College that was the best in Nigeria at a particular time.

“The school that has produced some of the best Nigerians. It has produced three national merit award recipients.

“There is no other secondary School that has produced three but Aquinas College has produced three and you see Aquinas going that way ? Four thousand nine hundred and sixty something students in year one alone.

“Anybody who is criticising this policy doesn’t love our children and the society.

On possible hike in school fees with private individuals and missions running those schools, the Bishop declared “Who is saying that?

“We have our own system and they should have listened to us before they started making conclusion. What is their conclusion about?

“I have run a system where we ran a school in those days when I was in the New York, that students don’t pay anything.

“But there is a way you advertise it and you get achievers and companies to support.

“Ex-students of Aquinas College Akure who have been blessed all over the world, if they key into this programme, they will bring the tuition down completely.

“We are doing everything to minimize things and we are being conscious.

“I am not taking over the school because of money. I don’t need anybody’s money. I am taking over that school because of the future of our children because that’s the only way to save this country.

“So we are taking it over and what they are paying whether you like it or not, the students are paying something because they have to buy uniforms, lockers and other necessary things, but at the end of the day, you will still see that what they buy ,and compare to the current situation, our rate will still be better.”