Delta Community Accuses Govt of Neglect as Students Sit on Bare Floor to Learn

The situation at Enekorogha Grammar School in the Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State is both shocking and distressing.

 Students are forced to sit on the bare floor to attend classes and take examinations, while teachers lack basic necessities such as offices, chairs, and tables.

Despite these challenging circumstances, characterized by a severe lack of fundamental educational resources like desks and chairs, and inadequately maintained classrooms, the students remain enthusiastic about learning.

Established in the early 1980s, the school has experienced minimal government involvement and suffers from a shortage of qualified teachers.

It Is surprising to see the state of Enekorogha Grammar School, especially considering the substantial monthly allocations received by the Delta State government. The school is marked by crumbling structures, a lack of desks for students, and a troubling environment infested with reptiles, all of which contribute to an unsafe and unwelcoming atmosphere.

According to Mr. Peter Ganagana, the Chairman of the Community’s Education Committee, the state government has not constructed any buildings at the school. The only six-classroom block was erected by an individual, while other facilities were built solely by the community.

The level of neglect experienced by this school, established in the early 1980s, under various administrations in Delta State is astonishing. Currently, the school has only a few classroom blocks and lacks essential items such as furniture, roofs, windows, doors, chairs, proper chalkboards, and a suitable staff room.

Mr. Ganagana further revealed that out of a student population exceeding 350, 80% do not have adequate seats or desks for learning.

He said; “The few seats we have in the school where provided by the community and the ones donated by an old student of the school who visited sometime ago. He generously donated Fifty (50) desk to the school, and this are the only seats in the school and it is not enough.

“ It is pitiable that our children sits on bare floor to learn daily, and even as they write this second term exam, beginning from JSS 1 to SS3, there are no desk for them to write.

“The school has just six teachers and the principal made it seven government teachers, and as you know, this is not enough to take all the subjects, so the community have to engage volunteers teachers that are given little stipends monthly.” 

He further disclosed that, frustrated by the shameful and unsatisfactory conditions affecting both the students and their learning environment, the community took the initiative to write to the Post Primary Education Board and the Ministry of Education. According to him, this prompted the board and ministry to send a delegation to the school to observe the situation firsthand. However, he expressed disappointment that none of the commitments made to address the dreadful state of the school have been honored to this day.

In spite of these difficulties, the student population continues to grow each year, as they remain determined and resilient in their pursuit of academic success. The community, for its part, has committed its resources and efforts to ensure that their children receive a quality education, even in the absence of government support and with limited resources.

Recognizing the challenges faced by the school, the community has actively sought to provide support in various ways, reaching out to local individuals for donations of textbooks, stationery, and other essential supplies aimed at enhancing students’ learning experiences.

One aspect that warms the heart of any visitor is the unwavering determination of the students at Enekorogha Grammar School. Despite the tough and unsettling conditions, they are committed to succeeding and maximizing the opportunities presented to them. Their resilience and dedication inspire everyone who visits the school and observes their commitment to learning and pursuing their aspirations.

However, beyond the lack of furniture, many classrooms suffer from severely damaged ceilings, with roofing sheets having come loose, and the dilapidated floors where students sit for their lessons.

Recognizing the challenges faced by the school, the community has actively sought to provide support in various ways, reaching out to local individuals for donations of textbooks, stationery, and other essential supplies aimed at enhancing students’ learning experiences.

One aspect that warms the heart of any visitor is the unwavering determination of the students at Enekorogha Grammar School. Despite the tough and unsettling conditions, they are committed to succeeding and maximizing the opportunities presented to them. Their resilience and dedication inspire everyone who visits the school and observes their commitment to learning and pursuing their aspirations.

However, beyond the lack of furniture, many classrooms suffer from severely damaged ceilings, with roofing sheets having come loose, and the dilapidated floors where students sit for their lessons.

The neglect of the school by the Delta State government is mind-blowing with just few blocks of classroom built by an individual and the community long ago without desks is disturbing.

Asked if the teachers are coming to school and the role of the principal in ensuring the students are given quality education, Mr. Peter said, the principal reside in Ughelli, but blamed the government for not doing their job diligently, but said the focus majorly is for the state government to come and do a total overhauling of Enekorogha Grammar School. 

“We are appealing to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to come to our aid and do a thorough renovation of existing structures, build new structures and furnish all classes with basic learning materials. 

“ We also call on him to send more teachers to the school as the strength of the teachers both the six government teachers and the community volunteers teachers do not match the population of students in the school.

“Several efforts has been made by the community leaders and the school authority to get government attention but all seems to have failed as no positive response has come out of this.”

The people and leadership of Enekorogha Community in Burutu Local Government Area are calling on the state government and the administration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to as a matter of urgency visit the school before the next term and begin a total renovation and provision of basic educational learning materials to enable the students learn comfortably like their other counterparts in other places and areas of the state.

Efforts made to reach the school principal to comment on the situation of the school prove abortive as his phone numbers made available to this reporter, when contacted says ‘Not reachable’. We use this opportunity to call on the relevant government agencies and the state governor to look into the disturbing condition of the Enekorogha Grammar School in Burutu Local Government Area of the state.