Igwe, S. O.; (1977) Church, State and Education in Eastern Nigeria (1847-1975). Doctoral thesis , Institute of Education, University of London.

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Abstract

The main subject area of this study is the development of primary and secondary education in Eastern Nigeria from 1847 to 1975. Its two main objectives are to examine the influence of the nature of, and events in the society on the formal school system; and to provide the first study of the topic on that geographical region of Nigeria. The areas of emphasis are the roles and contributions of the Missionary Societies, the Colonial Government, the successive indigenous Governments and the Local Communities, during the one hundred and twenty-eight yearperiod covered by the study. Four historical phases are identified, namely: the era of absolute missionary control of education, 1847-1900; partnership between the Churches and the Colonial Government, 1901-1950; the period of conflicts between the indigenous Government and the Missions, 1951-1965; and the Nigerian crisis and the nationalization of the school system, 1966-1975. The ten chapters of the main body of the thesis, organied in four sections, examine the following issues and questions: the established patterns of Church and State in education; the traditional society in Eastern Nigera; the Nationalist Government educational policies and its relationship with the Missions; why the schools take-over could not be effected before 1965; the abuses of the partnership system; the actual reasons for nationalizing the schools, and the part played by the events of the national crisis. Some of the main findings and conclusions (Chapter Eleven) are as follows: Church and State relationship in education varies from place to place. The fast rate at which the school system developed, and its subsequent financial and management problems, were caused largely by interdenominational and village rivalries. The traditional dogmatic attitude of the Roman Catholic Church towards secular education, the Mission's great power and influence in Eastern Nigeria, made the controveries over the management and control of the school system a direct confrontation between the Catholics and the Regional Government, The Protestant Churches were more flexible in their attitude for fear of possible Catholic domination of the Region, and on account of their traditional more flexible attitude towards secular education. The schools could not be nationalized before 1965 because the Government had neither the financial resources nor adequate mass support before that date. Many of the charges against the partnership arrangement were both substantiated and inherent in the system. The events of the Nigerian crisis, and the improved financial resources of the Federal Government through oil revenue, made it easier for the schools to be nationalized in 1970 than before 19650 Although partnership will not return, some of its features could be adopted to strengthen the state school system of management and control.

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