The Edo State Government has expressed concern over the infrastructural deficit in the primary and secondary education sectors.

The Chairman of Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (ESUBEB), Mrs. Onomen Goodness Briggs, expressed the state’s concern during her inspection of ongoing projects in some schools in Edo South Senatorial District.

Briggs was accompanied by Mrs. Angela Okpamen, a member representing the Edo South Senatorial District on the board, during the inspection.

She, however, called on parents and residents in communities where schools are located to help curb the vandalism of school facilities.

While noting that Governor Monday Okpebholo-led government is fencing in all the schools, she lamented that many of the schools visited lacked essential infrastructure.

According to her, in many of the schools visited, pupils lacked furniture, with many sitting on the floor, while some classrooms were overcrowded, housing about 200 students of four arms in a single classroom.

She also disclosed that the government, under Okpebholo, is reconstructing and renovating structures in 100 schools across the state to mark his 100 days in office.

The schools visited include Ebo Primary School in Iyekhogba and Ore-Oghene Primary School, both in the Oredo Local Government Area.

Also visited were Evbareke Junior Secondary School, Use Junior Secondary School, and Okhekhugbo Primary School in Egor Local Government Area.

At the schools in Egor Local Government Area, the SUBEB Chairman assured that all renovation and reconstruction works would be completed within one to three weeks.

She, however, emphasised the need for adequate security for public schools in the state, calling for support from residents in the area of security in communities where schools are located.

“Security is one major issue we have to look into, and we also have to sensitise the communities so that they can monitor these properties because the children are the ones who will suffer if these facilities are destroyed or vandalised.

“On this note, we need to sensitise the people and the community, everybody involved, the teachers, and the pupils and students so that if they see anything, they can say something.

“Fences are part of the security arrangement, so we are also going to make sure that these schools have fences and security posts, so that you can only come into the compound through the security post into the school.

“This is also key to us, and the governor has already started. Most of the construction works are ongoing; fencing is part of what he is looking at.”

Briggs said about five schools have been renovated, while more are ongoing across the state.

She added that the construction and the renovation include furnishing with such things as chairs and tables.