The Opuama community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State has raised alarm over the deteriorating conditions of its schools and the growing scarcity of teachers.
A recent visit to the area revealed shocking conditions in the community’s three schools. Many classrooms have broken ceilings and damaged roofs, while pupils are forced to sit on broken furniture or on the bare floor due to a shortage of desks and chairs.
Dr. Macaulay Owen, Chairman of the community’s Education Committee, lamented that despite the state of public education, the community has been financing 15 volunteer teachers, paying out over ₦100,000 monthly — a burden he says is becoming unbearable.
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“In Oloduwa and Azama Primary Schools, only three government teachers are posted to each. The secondary school has five teachers covering all classes from JSS1 to SS3,” Dr. Owen said.
He noted that several appeals have been made to both the local government and the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, but no concrete response has been received.
According to him, some government-deployed teachers refuse to resume duty due to the area’s riverine nature. He called on the state to consider employing qualified individuals from the community who are familiar with the terrain and willing to work.
Commenting on the situation, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, the Commissioner for Primary Education, confirmed that renovation is underway at Azama Primary School and assured that the concerns will be reviewed.
Attempts to get comments from the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
