Abia teachers decry rising vandalism of public school

Education stakeholders including teachers and school administrators in Abia State have decried the high level of vandalism of public school buildings across the state.

They raised the concern when the Ohanaeze Youth Council, led by its president, Eugene Okonta, visited World Bank Model Primary School and Isieke Central School in Umuahia North Local Government Area of the state, to distribute educational materials to the pupils.

The teachers expressed worry over the destruction of the school buildings by vandals who break into offices to cartaway steel windows, roofing sheets and other critical facilities in the schools.

Speaking while receiving the visitors the headmistress of World Bank Model Primary School, Queen Okoroafor, lamented that the situation is seriously undermining effective learning and teaching in the schools.

‘’This act of vandalism is seriously undermining teaching and learning and rendering the environment unsafe” she said

Also speaking, the Education Secretary of Umuahia North Local Government Education Authority Mrs Florence Umezuruike, while condemning the act, however confirmed that names of schools in dilapidated conditions had been submitted to the state government for urgent attention.

While assuring that renovation efforts were ongoing she promised that schools not yet reached would soon benefit from government efforts.

Responding, the OYC president,EugeneOkonta, urged the pupils to embrace discipline and live by values that would make them responsible citizens.

He advised the children to be good ambassadors, avoid cultism, drugs, fighting, and examination malpractice, while respecting parents, teachers, and constituted authorities.

He emphasized the importance of prayer, hard work, and exemplary conduct, describing teachers as “moulders of society” who deserve respect.

He also expressed satisfaction with the turnout of pupils and the commitment of teachers during the visit.

“This sensitization visits were aimed at both motivating pupils and drawing government’s attention to pressing infrastructural challenges in our school” he said.

Representatives of the schools appreciated the intervention of OYC, noting that the distribution of learning materials would boost the morale of learners. They also commended the effort, describing it complementary to Governor Alex Otti’s educational programmes and the recent initiative by the governor’s wife to equip pupils with study materials.

The event underscores the impact of vandalism on public education in Abia State, revealing how community actions are threatening school infrastructure.

At the same time, it highlights the role of civil society groups like OYC in complementing government efforts through advocacy, sensitization, and support to pupils, reflecting a growing trend of grassroots intervention in Nigeria’s education sector.

A pupil, EmmanuelaObike, speaking on behalf of her peers, thanked OYC for the gesture and pledged that the pupils would make the best use of the items received.