Pupils and students in Ogodobiri and Ezebiri communities in Delta State are reportedly receiving lessons in deteriorating school buildings, with inadequate furniture, severe teacher shortages and the presence of reptiles raising concerns over their safety and access to quality education.
The two neighbouring communities, collectively known as Ogo-Eze, are located along the banks of the Forcados River in the creeks of Delta State. They share primary and secondary schools whose worsening conditions have become a source of concern for parents, community leaders and education stakeholders.
Chairman of Ogodobiri Community, Koboye Benin, has appealed to the state government to urgently renovate the school buildings, provide desks for pupils, students and teachers, and recruit additional teaching personnel.
He warned that the lack of basic educational facilities was undermining effective teaching and learning, calling for immediate intervention to improve conditions in the schools.
The Amanana-Owei of Ogo-Eze Community, Archbishop Stephen Overy, also expressed concern about the state of the classrooms, describing the learning environment as harsh and potentially dangerous to the health of both students and teachers.
He urged the government to prioritize the renovation of the primary and secondary school buildings, warning that continued neglect could further damage educational opportunities for children in the area.
The situation at Ogo-Eze Secondary Commercial School is particularly troubling. The Chairman of its Parent-Teacher Association, Pastor Jeremiah Gougou, said some students are forced to sit on bare floors or share the few available desks during lessons.
He explained that inadequate classroom protection also leaves students exposed to rain and sunshine, making learning increasingly difficult.
Gougou further lamented the shortage of teachers, particularly in Mathematics, English Language, Chemistry and Biology. According to him, the school has only about three or four teachers, leaving staff to handle multiple subjects and placing additional pressure on the available workforce.
The concerns have also attracted the attention of education advocates. Chairman of the Education Rights Forum, Comrade Felix Okpe, said a visit to the schools reinforced the need for urgent government action.
He called for a comprehensive rehabilitation programme to provide safe classrooms, adequate furniture and sufficient teaching staff.
Community leaders and education stakeholders say the situation requires immediate attention to prevent further deterioration and ensure that children in the riverine communities have access to a safe and functional learning environment.
They are appealing to the Delta State Government to intervene by renovating the schools, addressing staffing gaps and providing the basic facilities necessary for effective education.
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