June 03, (THEWILL) – The school management and pupils of Government Primary School, Aka 1, Obio Imo in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state, are full of thanks to governor Udom Emmanuel for timely intervention in providing desks to pupils who have been sitting on the floor for many years.
Speaking to THEWILL Correspondent in uyo on Friday, the Headmaster of the school, Mrs Philomena Ubo, said state government has provided a total of 500 desks for the school pupils, who hitherto were sitting on the floor to learn and write exams.
Ubo, who expressed happiness over the government gesture, said two persons from the United States of America also sent in 20 and 25 desks respectively, to support the state government gesture.
THEWILL recalls that shortly before the end of last term, some members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State, visited and reported the bad state of infrastructure public schools in the state with particular reference to Government Primary School, Aka 1.
During the visit, it was discovered that even zinc was removed, as the pupils were learning under extremely harsh conditions especially during the rainy season.
The Head Teacher explained that teachers also assisted the state government by using improvised teaching aids for the pupils
“We really appreciate what the Government has done and you journalists, the school was not like this when I came, all the pupils were sitting on bare floors. Through your efforts and others, God has changed our story, we commend the government for quick intervention.
“It was an eyesore, because throughout my school years, I have never experienced sitting on the floor to learn, so when our commissioner for education came to the school, she wept, knowing that she is a mother, she immediately informed the governor and that same week, we were provided with dual pupils desks”, she noted.
She said the media report on vandalisation of school infrastructure got to some concerned individuals in the United States of America (USA), who sent in desks to support the government.
She disclosed that writing materials such as books, pencils, pens and school bags were sent to share among the pupils from the international donors.
“Others have also visited us, some of our citizens who are based in the US visited the school and blessed us with 20 dual desks to assist the pupils also another young man who visited along with a lady, who is also based in the US, offered us 25 dual desk alongside stationery; books, pencils, pens including school bags, to share for the pupils and they were very happy.”
Ubo said the gestures from International Donors showed that the children do not belong to the parents and government alone and requested others to assist the government in the fulfilment of free education policy in the state.
The school administrator also commended the Inter Ministerial Direct Labour of government for roofing two classroom blocks in the school and appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel for developing educational facilities in the state.
She, however, stressed the need for the state government to employ security personnels in public schools to ensure that facilities are safe, disclosing that it was not the first time desks were brought to the school, but unscrupulous persons would break the doors and cart them away.
“They go as far as removing the roof sheets. And they go away with it. So we need adequate security, at least to watch the premises after school hours”, she requested.
