Challenges of Christian Missionary Education in Igboland, Nigeria: Focus on the Impediments Affecting the Catholic Primary School Projects (1885-1970)

Abstract

This paper discusses the key problems which militated against the Catholic missionary education in Igboland, Southeast Nigeria. It analyses the key problems which clogged against the mission’s educational enterprise in Igboland which is predominantly Christian, while the Catholic Mission remained the dominant force in its educational landscape. Because of its affinity with a greater majority of the Igbo population, and acceptance by local most communities, Catholicism became synonymous with the Igbo, with the effect that the mission’s educational space became so wide and could be found in most local towns and villages. As it were, this development fertilized the stage for the emergence of numerous thorns along the track with the effect that the quality of its primary school education was impacted, while its ability to spread to all towns and villages suffered setbacks. Meanwhile, the undue competitions and struggle for space and population between the mission and other Christian missions in towns and villages involved in the Igbo educational project became an added factor. It is the conclusion of this paper that faced with the weight of the militating factors, the mission’s educational project suffered setbacks in a number of areas.

Keywords: Catholic; Christian Missionary; Education; IgboLand; Primary School.

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-29-10

Publication date:October 31^st 2021