Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - 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.
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