The Opuama community in Delta State’s Warri North Local Government Area has expressed concern over worsening school infrastructure and an increasing teacher shortage.
A recent visit to the area found horrific conditions at the community’s three schools. Many classrooms have shattered ceilings and damaged roofs, and students are forced to sit on broken furniture or the bare floor due to a lack of desks and chairs.
Dr. Macaulay Owen, Chairman of the community’s Education Committee, expressed concern that the community has been funding 15 volunteer teachers at a monthly cost of about ₦100,000, despite the current status of public education.
Read Also: Drama as Lizzy Anjorin Marks 5 Years of Marriage with Vicious Curse on Iyabo Ojo
“In Oloduwa and Azama Primary Schools, just three government teachers are assigned to each. Dr. Owen explained that the secondary school has five teachers who serve all classes from JSS1 to SS3.
He stated that he has made many pleas to both the local administration and the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education but has received no tangible response.
According to him, several government-deployed teachers refuse to return to work because of the area’s riverine environment. He urged the administration to consider hiring qualified individuals from the community who are familiar with the area and eager to work.
Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, Commissioner for Primary Education, stated that renovations are underway at Azama Primary School and pledged that the concerns would be addressed.
Attempts to obtain comments from the Commissioner of Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting this article.
