In July 2020, a primary school in Egan Moro community, Ijebu North LGA, collapsed. The school serves over 400 children across seventeen communities. Before the collapse and to date, the school has been in a dilapidated state.
After the incident, the children were transferred to the remains of the collapsed classrooms. Basic one to six students were merged into two classes – Basic 1-3 in one class, while Basic 4-6 in another. But the ceilings and walls of the spared classrooms are torn, and there are no windows and adequate furniture.
This merger has made learning very uncomfortable for the pupils and also drastically reduced attendance in the school. David, a nine-year-old pupil in Basic five, lamented about the situation of the school.
“I am always afraid every time I come to school because the last time the school collapsed, I was here. I am scared that one day everywhere will collapse. We have to manage chairs, and when rain falls, it beats us. I don’t want to come to this school, but my mummy is always forcing me.” he told Tracka.
This year, a N12m provision for the construction of the school has been captured in the 2021 budget. The project was nominated by Hon Adesegun Adekoya representing Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency and titled – CONSTRUCTION OF A BLOCK OF 3 CLASSROOMS AT LG PRIMARY SCHOOL, EGAN-MORO, OKE-AGBO, IJEBU IGBO, IJEBU NORTH LGA, OGUN STATE – 2021ZIP715.
Although seventy-five per cent of Zonal Intervention Project funds have been released to MDAs this year, work is yet to begin on-site.
Tracka visited the community in October to sensitize the residents about the project and how to engage their elected leaders for quality implementation. Baale Olaosebikan, the community leader, told us that they were not aware of the project before our visit.
“We didn’t know there was a project to build this school for us though we have been crying to the government. Now that you have informed us, we will try our best to reach out to Hon. Adesegun to make sure it is built.” he said.
Olamide, a trader, complained about how the situation is affecting their children’s education.
“We have been crying to the government to come and build a school for our children because many parents no longer send their children to school again since it collapsed. Nobody wants their child to die.
We call on the Ministry of Labour, whom this project is domiciled under to take the necessary steps to ensure this project is implemented. Also, Honourable Adesegun Adekoya, who sponsored the project, should follow up to ensure the project is delivered with quality.
Children deserve quality education, especially at the primary level, as it is a solid foundation of life’s learning.
Story by Ayomide Ladipo and Joshua Osiyemi.
