Governor Seyi Makinde’s government says there is no plan to return some schools to missionaries or individuals.

This is contained in a statement by Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abdulrahman Abduraheem.

Mr AbdulRaheem was reacting to insinuations that the government planned “to return schools to their original owners.”

According to him, Mr Makinde spoke about ownership of schools at Loyola College during the inauguration of a hall named after Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

“At that event, Makinde only advised members of the Old Students Association to direct their request to the Ministry of Education for necessary engagement. He did not give any directive on the return of the school or any school whatsoever,” the commissioner explained. “It is true that the state government has developed a proof of agreement with the Incorporated Trustees of Government College Old Boys Association. But that does not in any way amount to a blanket return of all schools to their original owners.”

However, he added that the government would not shy away from productive partnerships with stakeholders in the education sector to support its free and qualitative education policy.

“Government will not take any step capable of upsetting the cord of alliance already existing in a highly treasured sector like education,” Mr Abduraheem said.

(NAN)