PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN EBONYI DECRY POOR STATE OF INFRASTRUCTURE

Pupils and students in primary and secondary schools in Ebonyi State have called on the state government to do more in developing learning facilities in schools to raise the standard of Education in the area. They made the call following inadequate teaching aids and poor condition of class room blocks in some of the schools in the state.

The present administration in Ebonyi State has since its inception in office, renovated many class room blocks and distributed desks to some selected schools in the three senatorial zones of the state. In spite of the huge investment, there is still a yawning gap in the provision of school infrastructure.

For instance, a pupil at Utsuenyim Community Primary School, Mgbalaukwu in Izzi Local Government Area recently lost her life while many were injured when their dilapidated classroom block eventually collapsed on them. A visit to Community Primary School Obeagu Ohatekwe Enyibichiri Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area shows that there is urgent need for the provision of class rooms, conveniences, desks and conducive environment.

A student of Izzi High School, Ejiofor Nwankwoegu said they lacked adequate infrastructure in the school. The story was same in Central Urban Primary School Two, Abakaliki, where the Headmistress, Mrs Regina Ekumankama told Radio Nigeria that there was urgent need to give the school a facelift especially as it was located at the heart of the capital.

Investigations reveal that the provision of chalks and other learning aids to schools no longer receive the attention of government thereby compelling school managements to resort to illegal collection of ten naira levy from pupils. The state Chairman Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Joseph Nweke said though the state government was doing its best there was the need for development partners and private individuals to assist.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Commissioner for Education were not successful.

AMECHI ODO