THE HISTORY OF WESTERN EDUCATION IN UTIT OBIO CLAN

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The role of education (indigenous and foreign) in the growth and development of human society cannot be overemphasized. The reason for this is because it is indeed the driving force that transforms and sustains the world in all spheres. Education has been the hub for advancement in all cultures and civilization. In any event, the western style of education in Utit Obio Clan, Ibiono came with the Europeans from the second half of the nineteenth century. Indigenous education existed for centuries before it was confronted by western education. The introduction of western education identifies with the arrival of the Scottish Christian missionaries in Ikot Obong in 1903 with the available teachers being the expatriate missionaries. They trained those that would assist them to teach at the mission schools, work in the colonial administration and by 1906 a big school was established in Ikot Obong, which brought people from all over Ibiono. Ikot Obong was the first place to experience western education because it was the headquarters of the Presbyterian mission who settled in Ibiono. The second school established by the Presbyterian mission was located at Ikot Inyang. Eventually, other schools, primary and post primary came to be established in the area.

Statement of Problem
Although many authors have written about Ibiono Ibom and Ibibio history in general, through their research works, articles, journals etc. they seem to have written in detail about almost every area in the Ibibio nation but have neglected the history of Western education specifically in Utit Obio clan. This state of affairs has therefore presented a missing gap in the historiography of the area. This present research effort intends to fill the gap.

Objectives of the Study
The main objectives of the study are to:
examine the profile of indigenous education in Utit Obio Ibiono
trace the emergence of western education in Utit Obio
examine the relationship between western education and indigenous education
examine the profile of western education in Utit Obio
assess the impacts of western education in the development of Utit Obio, Ibiono.

Research Methodology
The research methods adopted for this study is the descriptive and analytical method. The study used primary and secondary sources in gathering information. Primary sources include oral evidence and archival materials, while secondary sources include information obtained from textbooks, journals, articles, internet resources, newspapers and magazines. The two sources have enhanced reliability and validity of the research work.