Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State declared a State of Emergency on public schools across the state on Tuesday, citing the severely deteriorated conditions observed during recent inspections.
The declaration follows a tour of schools in the Ikpoba-Okha and Egor local government areas, where the Governor witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by students and educators.
Governor Okpebholo, accompanied by government officials, expressed deep concern over the state of urban schools, emphasizing the need for improved learning environments to unlock the full potential of Edo’s children. He reiterated a campaign promise to prioritize the rehabilitation of schools lacking modern facilities and conducive learning spaces.
The Governor’s dissatisfaction was particularly evident during visits to Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha and Evbareke Secondary School in Egor. He described the conditions under which students were learning as “unacceptable.”
“I feel bad about the state of the schools I inspected today. The conditions are unacceptable for our children,” stated Governor Okpebholo. “When campaigning, I promised to declare a State of Emergency in Edo schools. I will start from Evbareke Secondary School and Army Day Secondary School.”
Immediate action is planned, with the Governor announcing the commencement of renovation work at the selected schools starting Wednesday.
“From tomorrow, work will begin at these schools. These schools have no fence, and erosion has washed away the road leading to Army Day secondary school,” he said.
He further highlighted the impact of infrastructure neglect, stating, “The road to Army Day Secondary School, Boundary Road, leads to Temboga. It’s in a very poor state, affecting our children’s access to education.”
Edo Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, emphasized the governor’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality education for all children in the state.
“The governor is here to understand the difficulties of the students and help find solutions. He’s committed to practical governance to show Edo people that they deserve better. The governor has ordered us to ensure that all Edo children, including those physically challenged, have access to quality education. With the governor’s leadership, change will come,” he said.
The dire situation in the schools has been a longstanding concern, as highlighted by Mrs. Mary Izewingie, Vice Principal of Students’ Affairs at Evbareke Secondary School.
“We have cried out for help, but nobody listened. Learning has been difficult for our students. We even tried to make repairs, but the rains ruined our efforts,” she stated, noting that the situation has remained unchanged since 2022 despite repeated appeals. The Governor’s declaration signals a renewed commitment to address these critical needs and revitalize the state’s public education system.
