Why missionary schools are expensive, by Omoegun

CHAIRMAN, Board of Trustee of the Lagos Girls’ Anglican Grammar School, Professor (Mrs.) Mopelola Omoegun has called on parents and guardians of female children to ensure the empowerment of such children through qualitative education.

  Omoegun, who addressed the press during a press conference to mark the 60th anniversary of the college in Lagos, said: “We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of this college today and it is commendable that the school, owned by the Anglican Communion, has come of age in providing quality education at affordable rates for the society.”

  The University of Lagos lecturer, also corrected the notion that education, being offered by Christian bodies was expensive.

  “By the time you compare private schools and those owned by churches, you will know that education provided by missionary schools is not expensive. They have to break even because it is business, they have to pay the lecturers well, and on time, so that there will be commitment. They also have to procure equipment and make sure the learning environment is conducive for the students to meet up with international standards. So, when they charge, it must be done in such a way as to make them run the school properly,” she said.

  The professor, however, expressed resentment over very high fees charged by universities owned by some churches, which have been built using church members’ tithes and offerings. 

  “The fees, like I said, must be expensive since there is no government involvement. But I think that since the schools were built using tithes and offerings of church members, they should be given some concessions even though the fees have to be high because people will expect good standards… but there should be consideration for people who willingly contributed to building the universities from their offerings.”

  In her remark, the principal of the school, Mrs. Mercy Akin-Ajayi, commended the efforts of the Anglican Dioceses for making the school a conducive place for the students.

  Akin-Ajayi described as appalling, the state of the school, when it was returned to the mission.

  “Since the school was returned to the original owners about 12 years ago, it has taken a lot of efforts to bring it to this point. It is a pity we cannot bring back the pictures of how it was in those days. It was a house for miscreants. Boys from Mushin and Ojuelegba used to come here to smoke, but today, the story is different,” she said.