Most Reverend Simeon Borokini, the Anglican Bishop of Akure Diocese and Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical province has expressed the readiness of the church to take over Oyemekun grammar school and Fiwasaye Girls Grammar school, Akure the Ondo state capital.
Most Reverend Borokini disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Roving Reporters online in Akure.
The Ondo state government had in March returned St Louis Secondary School Ondo town and Aquinas College Akure to the Catholic Church,Ondo diocese, following agitations from the church that some missionary schools should be returned to the Catholic Church.
Speaking, the cleric said all was set as discussions and preparations are in top gear for the Ondo state government to return the two schools to the Anglican church.
Borokini said, “We want to take some of our schools back. Catholic church has done that ,and we are also taking some efforts to take some of these schools back so that we don’t leave everything for the government alone.
“So we want to partner with the government and anything we can do to improve the standard of education and especially the moral aspect of our children, we want to do that.”
He allayed the fears of parents on probable hike in school fees after take over, saying, “ What we are going to do in Ondo state is that all dioceses will come together and invest in the proposed school takeover and this will reduce the burden and it won’t be cumbersome for parents in a way.
“We will set up a committee and how to generate funds will be at the central level and what the church can do will also encourage, especially our parishioners to contribute.”
“For now, we are thinking of Oyemekun grammar school, Akure, and Fiwasaye Girls Grammar school, Akure.
“Some other schools are ready, even their old students bhave been putting pressure on us not to waste time , they are looking forward for us to start.
“For instance, in Ondo, Ondo Anglican Grammar school is ready and has put everything in place, waiting for our decision.
“We have had meeting with our governor, (Akeredolu) and shown our intention to takeover the mentioned schools. All that is needed is to put up a letter to the effect. The government understands the nitty gritty of this takeover and we know what government requires from the church.
“We will soon submit the letter and after that, government officials will inspect the affected schools because we are prepared for the takeover.
“We have also discussed with our Bishops especially the Bishops of those schools that will be taken over that they should put in place everything needed in the schools,” Borokini said.
