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CRS: Decay Of Infrastructure In Schools Across State

By Anietie Akpan, Calabar
07 February 2016   |   5:51 am
It is mixed grill for public primary and secondary schools in Cross River State. In some cases, the schools are well rehabilitated and equipped, while in most others, it is a sorry site.  
A dilapidated school building in Calabar

A dilapidated school building in Calabar

It is mixed grill for public primary and secondary schools in Cross River State. In some cases, the schools are well rehabilitated and equipped, while in most others, it is a sorry site.

Not long ago, the state was in the infamous league of educationally backward states. Its performances in national examinations organised by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) among others, lend credence to this.

The malaise was further exemplified by the fact that most Primary 4 and 5 pupils could barely read coherently, just as writing simple sentences was equally an arduous task. Secondary schools on their part became centres for illicit acquisition of grades, as some school principals, teachers and proprietors aided and abetted examination malpractices.

With dilapidated infrastructure a regular sight in most public schools, well-meaning parents had no option than to migrate to private schools with their children and wards.

Though the immediate past administration made great efforts to improve the facilities in schools in the state, despite this major achievement, some schools in the state especially in the rural areas like the Ntol Comprehensive Secondary School, Ndok in Bekwara Local Government Area, Ugbagarah High School, Ugbagara in Biase Council, Atu Primary School and many others need urgent government intervention.

Though the immediate past administration made great efforts to improve the facilities in schools in the state, despite this major achievement, some schools in the state especially in the rural areas like the Ntol Comprehensive Secondary School, Ndok in Bekwara Local Government Area, Ugbagarah High School, Ugbagara in Biase Council, Atu Primary School and many others need urgent government intervention. These schools that have not been renovated are in terrible state. The classrooms, staff rooms, the toilets, laboratories and libraries are poor

These schools that have not been renovated are in terrible state. The classrooms, staff rooms, the toilets, laboratories and libraries are poor. However, they have good play ground with enough space for football and other games.

For instance, out of the 1,033 primary schools in the state, only 300 were rehabilitated, while the rest are still in very bad shape, a task awaiting the intervention of the new administration of Senator Ben Ayade.

Similarly, out of the 265 public secondary schools in the state, the Senator Imoke administration captured 60 in the first phase, while the rest are in a poor condition.

Current state government is yet to settle down to deal with these issues of rehabilitation of schools. There is no clear-cut policy for now on education and many other programmes in the state.

Top government official in the Ministry of Education who pleaded anonymity said, “it is true that the infrastructures in our schools are bad, but we hope the new government will continue from where Senator Liyel Imoke stopped to ensure that other schools that were not affected in the first phase of the renovation programme are brought to standard.”

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