- Unbefitting Dereliction Of Duty, Repudiation Of Past Achievements!
The education sector in Osun State under Governor Ademola Adeleke is declining as students, particularly in the semi-urban and rural areas continue to learn under dilapidated buildings, OSUN DEFENDER reports.
Despite claims by the state government that it has renovated over 200 schools, the majority of schools according to findings by the medium are currently facing shortage of teachers, deteriorating infrastructures. The schools are neither with functional toilet facilities nor proper water systems.
Some of the schools currently begging for government urgent intervention include, Akinorun Grammar School and Holy Michael Secondary School in Ikirun, the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government.
Others are Oranmiyan Grammar School, Ile-Ife and Community Grammar School, Odogbo inñ Atakumosa East Local Government Area of the state.
In Akinorun Grammar School, findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the condition of infrastructure in the schools is nothing short of alarming.
Students and members of staff face difficulty due to lack of functional facilities.
Also, there is no adequate security, leaving the school properties exposed to constant theft and vandalism.
The school hall which was once used as a convergence point for All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) is currently a shadow of itself.
It was gathered that all external examinations in the school have been moved to Holy Trinity School, Oke-Afo, Ikirun due to the condition of the hall.
Also, at Holy Michael High School, the school is in urgent need of functional toilet facilities and potable water. Investigation by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that lack of adequate sanitation infrastructure poses health and environmental concerns for both students and staff.
The school is surrounded by rocks and thick bushes, creating security challenges and exposing students to potential dangers. The management expressed concerns about the vulnerability of students due to the isolated nature of some sections of the school environment.
A source within the school told OSUN DEFENDER that some households located around the school premises harbour students during school hours, contributing to truancy and disciplinary challenges.
The school management identified teenage pregnancy as one of the major social issues affecting students while attributing the challenge largely to inadequate parental guidance and insufficient counselling support for students.
During an assessment visitation to both schools recently, the Ikirun Progressives Union (Youth Wing) led by the President, Prince Abdul Afeez Maigida, alongside his executive members, the association bemoaned the condition of the schools, urging the state government to address the challenges facing them.
“Akinorun Grammar School, in particular, is our premier secondary school, a symbol of pride and history that must not be allowed to die a slow and painful death.
“How can we expect teachers to give their best in such a deplorable environment? How can students compete with their peers elsewhere when they are learning under conditions that undermine their dignity and potential?
“Our elected representatives must stop pretending not to see what is staring everyone in the face. The terrible condition of these schools should be raised on the floor of the State Assembly without delay. Those occupying executive positions (if at all they are SAs or SSAs) should ensure that the cries of Ikirun reach the ears of the Governor, the Commissioner for Education, and the Commissioner for Works,” IPU stated.
More so, it was a worsening situation at Oranmiyan Grammar School, Ile-Ife as most of the classrooms are becoming traps. Oranmiyan Grammar School is one of the oldest and most respected schools in the ancient town. Sadly, children are forced to learn under dilapidated buildings and an inhabitable environment.
In a video sighted by OSUN DEFENDER, classrooms in the school are dilapidated with no furniture and asbestos blown away.
Also, the Community Grammar School, Odogbo Atakumosa East Local Government Area is in a sorry state, according to findings. The school building walls are cracked, windows and doors are broken, and the roofing damaged. Children of Odogbo have been learning under a terrible condition for the past 15 years and attendance has dwindled since, according to a local.
A leader of the community who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under the condition of anonymity said many children have refused to attend school due to the condition of the school.
“Many children now go to the farm with their parents; they no longer go to school. They have no chairs and tables to write on. The community has tried our best to keep the school running but it is not enough.
“Imagine the condition of a state school where we have a Governor, Senator and House of Reps member. And a lot of allocation has been budgeted for the Education section but nothing has been shown.” the leader stated.
The community urged the state government to facilitate the immediate reconstruction of this school and provide learning materials for the pupils.
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
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