…As principal laments how Ex-Governor Obaseki ignored heir distress calls for intervention
By Newsmata
The Vice Principal of one of the secondary schools visited by Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State while on inspection tour of public schools has lamented how his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki ignored their distress calls on the poor state of infrastructure.
At the Evbareke Secondary School, the Vice Principal, Students’ Affairs, Mrs. Mary Izewingie complained to the visiting governor that since 2022, the situation of the school had remained the same.
According to her, “We have cried out several times, nobody listened to us, and learning has been difficult for our students.
“We even did palliative ourselves, but the rains destroyed our efforts. We approached the Obaseki-led administration. They never responded”.
In his assessment of what he saw, Governor Okpebholo was particularly irked by the state of facilities in schools even in urban areas, noting that the schools were in very bad shape. He therefore declared a state of emergency in all public schools in the state.
The governor, who was accompanied on the tour of some schools in Ikpoba-Okha and Egor local government areas in Edo South, said “Edo children deserve a better schooling environment that will bring out the best in them.”
He recalled that while campaigning for the votes of the electorate in the state, he had promised to declare a state of emergency in schools that lack modern facilities and conducive environments for learning.
Governor Okpebholo said visiting Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area and Evbareke Secondary School in Egor Local Government Area, he was not pleased with what he saw and had no choice but to begin his action from the schools.
He said, “I feel very bad about the situation of the schools I inspected today. Look at the type of school that our children are attending; it is not acceptable at all.
“When I was campaigning, I told Edo people that I would declare a state of emergency in our schools across the state. I will start from this school, Evbareke Secondary School in Egor local government area and the previous one we inspected today, Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, both in Edo South.
“We stopped on the road on our way to the school because erosion has cut off the road. This is not good for our children as we want the best for them.
“From tomorrow, work will commence here as the school visited has no fence, and the road leading to Army Day Secondary School has been washed off by erosion. We must give Edo children quality education to set them for the future.”
Edo State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, said information got to the ministry on the harsh conditions facing students of the school.
Iyamu said the Governor was visiting schools to see things for himself “because he wants to feel the plight of the average Edo child so that together we can all proffer solutions to the problem facing Edo schools. The Governor is here on practical governance to show Edo people they deserve the best.
“The Governor has given us the order to ensure that everybody in Edo State must have access to quality education whether they are able or physically challenged. The challenges are very obvious; dilapidated structures with no chairs in schools in urban areas. With the kind of governor Edo has, things will change,” Iyamu said.
Chairman, State Secondary Education Board (SSEB), Omonzane Ebanehita, noted that Evbareke Secondary School had no conducive environment for learning.
She disclosed that the management of the school wrote several letters, which she earlier forwarded to the Governor and appreciated him for visiting the school to find lasting solutions to the problems.