Education stakeholders, including teachers and school administrators in Abia State, have raised alarm over the increasing rate of vandalism affecting public school infrastructure across the state. The concern was voiced during a visit by the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), led by its president, Eugene Okonta, to World Bank Model Primary School and Isieke Central School in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
The visit, aimed at distributing educational materials to pupils, brought to light the destructive activities of vandals who have repeatedly targeted school buildings. Teachers reported that critical facilities such as steel windows, roofing sheets, and office equipment are routinely stolen, leaving the schools in dire conditions.
Queen Okoroafor, Headmistress of World Bank Model Primary School, expressed deep concern over the situation. “This act of vandalism is seriously undermining teaching and learning and rendering the environment unsafe,” she said while receiving the OYC delegation.
Mrs. Florence Umezuruike, Education Secretary of the Umuahia North Local Government Education Authority, condemned the acts of vandalism and confirmed that a list of affected schools had already been submitted to the state government for urgent intervention. She assured that renovation works were ongoing and that more schools would soon benefit from government efforts.
In his address, OYC President Eugene Okonta urged pupils to embrace discipline, avoid cultism, drugs, fighting, and examination malpractice, and uphold values that would make them responsible citizens. He also stressed the importance of prayer, hard work, and respect for teachers, parents, and constituted authorities.
“These sensitization visits are aimed at both motivating pupils and drawing government’s attention to pressing infrastructural challenges in our schools,” Okonta stated, commending the dedication of the teachers and the enthusiastic turnout of the pupils.
Representatives of the schools expressed appreciation for the OYC’s intervention, noting that the distribution of learning materials would uplift the morale of students and complement the educational initiatives of Governor Alex Otti’s administration. They also acknowledged the recent contributions of the Governor’s wife toward equipping pupils with study materials.
The event underscores the growing impact of vandalism on public education in Abia State and highlights the vital role civil society groups like the OYC play in supporting education through grassroots advocacy, awareness, and material support.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow pupils, Emmanuela Obike thanked the OYC for their generosity and pledged that the students would make the best use of the materials received.
