BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev John Oyejola, has said education, for the church, is a means of evangelism.
Speaking in Osogbo when he received in audience, the President, Worldwide, St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, Old Students Association, Rotimi Aluko, and his entourage on a courtesy visit, Rev Oyejola, represented by his Secretary, Rev Fr Michael Odusanwo, said the church “places a lot of premium on education and it is ready to take over the missionary schools once the government of the State of Osun hands over the schools to the church.”
Earlier, Rotimi Aluko had appealed to the Osun State Government to return missionary schools in the state to their original owners. He attributed the lack of discipline in public schools to moral decadence in the society and failure of relevant stakeholders, including parents and government, to instil values in students in public schools.
Aluko decried the poor performance of St Charles and other public schools in the state in external examinations like WASSCE.
He urged the state Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, to emulate some states in the South-East and even Lagos State that have returned missionary schools to their owners.
Aluko said the Catholic Church was renowned for proper management of schools and other institutions, adding that his Alma Mater and other missionary schools would return to their old glory if government handed them over to their original owners.
While commending Governor Oyetola for restoring the 6-3-3-4 system of education and also making St Charles and other public schools to return to their cultures, Aluko charged the government to take further steps by allowing missions to take charge of the running of their schools.
He sought the collaboration of the bishop and the Catholic Church, saying the Old Students Association had turned the school around by donating modern structures and facilities that would make learning conducive.
Bishop Oyejola then commended the Old Students for their support for teachers and students of the school.
He said the church was ready to take over the schools once the government was ready to return them.
