Residents of Umuoba Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State have raised the alarm over the deteriorating condition of a two-storey building at Community Secondary School, Umuoba Anam.
The residents, who voiced their concerns after an inspection of the school by the Education Committee of the Umuoba Anam Town Union, warned that the structure could collapse if urgent intervention is not undertaken before the next flood season.
They said timely intervention would prevent a possible structural failure and restore the school to a safe learning environment.
The delegation, led by the President-General of the Town Union, Hon. Uchenna Anizor, and the President of the Umuoba Anam Youth Forum, Comrade Onyebuchi Mmeh, inspected classrooms and other facilities while interacting with the school’s management, teachers and students.
According to the committee, the ageing two-storey building has developed extensive cracks, raising concerns over the safety of students and staff.
“We are appealing to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, through the Commissioner for Education, to urgently intervene. The condition of this building is frightening, and we fear it may not survive the coming flood season.
“We are also calling on Sen. Tony Nwoye, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, Barr. Obi Nweke and the Mayor of Anambra East, Sir Ifeanyi Chinweze, to support the rehabilitation of the school,” Anizor said.
Mmeh described the rescue effort as a collective responsibility and called on sons and daughters of Umuoba Anam, members of the school’s alumni association, age grades, corporate organisations and non-governmental organisations to support the rehabilitation project.
“Anyone can adopt a classroom, replace doors and windows, provide whiteboards or repair damaged roofs. Our priority is to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for our children,” he said.
He lamented that the school has one of the poorest educational infrastructures in Anambra East and urged stakeholders to act before tragedy strikes.
A pioneer student of the institution, Mr Elias Anizor, appealed to members of the school’s Old Students’ Association to mobilise support for the structural reinforcement and renovation of the school buildings.
Meanwhile, a teacher at the school, Mr Jude Onuorah, identified inadequate science laboratories, insufficient computer facilities and the lack of teachers’ accommodation as major challenges confronting the institution.
He disclosed that the school lacks the laptops required for computer-based examinations after previously supplied devices were lost during the 2012 flood disaster.
“Our students are disadvantaged because we lack the digital tools needed for external examinations and STEM competitions. We also need decent accommodation to attract National Youth Service Corps members,” Onuorah said.
The school’s principal, Mrs Esther Emma-Nwakaeze, commended the Town Union for drawing attention to the situation and appealed to the government, philanthropists and development partners to intervene urgently.
