Edo Inconducive Learning Environment: Religious Leaders, CSOs, Press, Teachers, Schools Mgmt. Calls for Education Budget Tracking

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By Reporter

The public outcry on the harmful condition of public schools in Edo State has continued to provoke condemnations, the latest is coming from stakeholders who are blaming Obaseki for the “inconducive learning environment to which pupils and students of primary and post primary schools in Edo State are being subjected to.”

Pupils of Aworo Primary School, Ewato, Edo State

The stakeholders are members of Civil Society Organizations, Public and Private School Teachers, Administrators, Parents, the Media, Religious Leaders and School-Based Management Committee Members.

Their stance was made known in a communique they issued in Benin at the end of a one-day stakeholders roundtable dialogue meeting organized under the auspices of Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Edo State chapter.

Pupils of Osaretin Primary School Uzalla, Uhunmwode LGA begging Obaseki to rebuild their school

In the communique, they said that primary and post-primary schools in the state share many of the characteristics such as under-staffed, especially in the rural communities; under-financed and poor operational condition.

“Community participation in the financing of education in Edo State should be encouraged.

Arazuwa Primary School: Dilapidated Classroom block

“Financial contributions are the most obvious form of contribution. They may be solicited from members of the community, business associations, and even old students association.

“Alternative ways of community contribution could be through fairs, bring-and-buy sales, crafts sales, or bingos.

A classroom in Arazuwa Primary school classroom

“When interest in building a school is spread over a wide area, the extent of fundraising may be considered.

“The government should bring to the fore how she implements the state’s education budget. We need to know the budget and where it goes.

“This calls for tracking the budget on education.”

Charred remains of Obanisi Primary School

In recent time, videos and pictures of dilapidated school buildings flooded the internet. In some cases, the pupils are seen sleeping and writing on the floor, like Aworo Primary School, Ewato in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

There are other cases like Osaretin Primary School, Uzalla in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, were pupils and teachers have resulted to begging governor Obaseki to save them from collapsing classroom walls.

Obanisi Primary School, Edo State

For long, parents, teachers and school management, as well as community leaders have made repeated calls for teachers, writing desk and tables, to no avail.

The ministry of education and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has received over N250 billion, including a $75 million World Bank loan for education infrastructure development.