For teachers, pupils and other residents of Budo-Oke, a community in Eyenkorin, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, there is nothing to be enthusiastic about the impending school resumption. The reason is not far fetch – their primary school is in a dilapidated state and total ruins less than three weeks to the commencement of academic activities.
The Budo-Oke LGEA Primary School, Eyenkorin, with a population of 266 pupils caters for the educational needs of the community and its environs but except something urgent and drastic is done by the government, the children are in for another harrowing experience.
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The three blocks of classrooms in the school were constructed through the collaborative efforts of the government, an NGO in 2005 and a community self-funded project that is still under construction.
However, North Central Trust finding revealed that the roof of the classroom that was built by the government was blown off by windstorm in March and since then, the pupils have been learning under a very poor, unconducive and dangerous environment.
The affected pupils now receive lessons under the tree because of the deplorable state of the affected block. One of the teachers who spoke to our correspondent said whenever it rains; they usually hang around while the children are sent home even before the closing hours.
“The environment is not safe for the pupils. They are exposed to intense cold which may result in serious ailments if something urgent is not done. The pupils are also exposed to snake bites while receiving classes in the open field. It will be difficult for any pupil to be focused under this type of learning condition”, he added.
Also, chairman, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Alhaji Solihu Ayinla, who lamented the situation said: “We have written to the state government; they keep on promising. But up till today, nothing has been done. We are still using this opportunity to implore the government to come to our aid.
“This incident happened after the first rain in March. And since then, the pupils have been learning under the trees.
Another community leader, when contacted, said, it is ridiculous and sad for a community like Budo-Oke to lack a standard primary school, notalk not to talk of a secondary school. He said since the incident, “we have been looking for support from the government, and even wealthy individuals who could help us renovate the school.
A primary six pupil, Adeshola Esther, said, “Whenever I am in school especially early in the morning, I always feel cold because we have been learning under the tree. We couldn’t make use of our classroom as it lacks roof and windows. This is how we have been learning for months.
“Each time it rains, we are not always happy because we know it will definitely affect the day’s class activities and the head teacher will tell us to go home. We are even more worried now that after over five months, we will still resume to the same condition. We plead with the government to as a matter of urgency help us repair our school”, she said.
Speaking on the issue, the School head teacher, Mrs Alege, expressed worry that after five months of the incident, the school is still waiting to get a positive response.
“There has not been any improvement and with about two weeks to resumption, it appears we will resume to the same horrible condition. The parents of the pupils have expressed serious concerns over their wards resuming to the same condition but we just have been pleading with them.
“We have written to SUBEB, the ministry and the local government with pictures, including the lawmakers without a response”, she added.
Reacting to the issue, the Kwara State Chairman of SUBEB, Prof. Adaramaja, said he has visited the place, adding that the project has been “captured”. He however said he cannot say when the renovation will commence when asked.
