Governor Monday Okpebholo has declared a state of emergency in pre-primary and post-primary schools across Edo State following a firsthand inspection of dilapidated school facilities in Egor and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas.
During his visit to Evbareke Secondary School, the Vice Principal of Students’ Affairs, Mrs. Mary Izewingie, lamented the poor state of infrastructure, revealing that repeated pleas for government intervention under the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki were ignored.
“We have cried out several times, but nobody listened to us, and learning has been difficult for our students,” Izewingie stated. “We even carried out palliative repairs ourselves, but the rains destroyed our efforts.”
Governor Okpebholo, visibly displeased with the level of decay in public schools, emphasized his commitment to transforming the education sector in the state.
“I feel very bad about the state of the schools I inspected today. The conditions are unacceptable,” he said. “When I was campaigning, I promised to declare a state of emergency in our schools. I will begin with Evbareke Secondary School in Egor and Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha.”
The governor also noted that erosion had cut off access to Army Day Secondary School, further complicating students’ learning conditions. He directed that work commence immediately on critical infrastructure, including fencing for Evbareke Secondary School and road rehabilitation in the affected areas.
“We must provide Edo children with quality education to prepare them for the future,” he added.
Chairman of the State Secondary Education Board (SSEB), Omonzane Ebanehita, confirmed that multiple requests had been made regarding the school’s condition. She commended the governor for his swift response and commitment to finding lasting solutions.
With the emergency declaration, Governor Okpebholo aims to overhaul the state’s education system, ensuring a conducive learning environment for all students.
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