Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared a State of Emergency on public schools, condemning their appalling and deplorable conditions as a disgrace.
During an inspection tour of schools in Ikpoba-Okha and Egor Local Government Areas of Edo South Senatorial District, the governor was visibly disturbed by the shocking state of decay in schools, even in urban areas where better facilities were expected.
At Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha and Evbareke Secondary School in Egor, the governor was met with scenes of collapsed buildings, leaking roofs, crumbling walls, and classrooms filled with broken furniture.
He was horrified to see students struggling to learn in dilapidated structures, with no proper desks or chairs, forcing some to sit on the bare floor.
The stench of neglect was everywhere, overgrown weeds, abandoned school blocks, and surroundings that looked more like ruins than places of learning.
Governor Okpebholo expressed outrage at the total absence of basic amenities, including running water, toilets, and even electricity.
Many schools had no perimeter fencing, leaving students vulnerable to intruders. The roads leading to these schools were nearly impassable, destroyed by years of erosion and neglect, making it difficult for teachers and pupils to even reach their classrooms.
Determined to put an end to what he called a “shameful and unacceptable” situation, the governor announced immediate action, starting with the worst-hit schools.
He assured residents that his administration would waste no time in rehabilitating public schools, ensuring they become safe and functional learning spaces.
Edo State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, admitted that reports of students enduring such extreme hardship had been piling up, with many forced to learn in roofless classrooms under the scorching sun or heavy rain.
He commended the governor’s decision to witness the crisis firsthand, stating that no child in Edo State should be subjected to such harsh conditions.
Chairman of the State Secondary Education Board, Omonzane Ebanehita, confirmed that schools had repeatedly cried out for help, but their pleas had been ignored for years.
Vice Principal of Students’ Affairs, Mrs Mary Izewingie, recalled that despite desperate attempts by staff and students to carry out minor repairs, the scale of damage had made their efforts futile. With each rainy season, classrooms flooded, and sections of buildings collapsed further.
Governor Okpebholo assured the people of Edo that his administration would prioritise public schools, vowing to restore dignity to education by transforming these crumbling institutions into places where students could learn in safety and with pride.
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