primary school pupils of akwa ibom state learn in collapsed classrooms.......SEE PHOTOS

Firstclass newsline learnt that other pupils of other schools in Akwa
Ibom State look forward to going to class with excitement, pupils of
St. Peters RCM School, Akpa Utong, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government
Area of the state go to school only to meet the harsh reality of
learning under a collapsed structure.
Parts of the building for Primary Three has fallen down while the
temporary class where the students were moved to does not have doors
and windows. The pillars and the walls are weak as cracks can be seen
all over the entire structure.
The planks, which hold the roof of the building are fragile; some have
been broken putting the pupils at risk in the likelihood that a strong
wind blows it off. The corrugated iron sheet used in roofing the
school have also given way with large holes all over them.
A Primary Three teacher of the school, Mrs. Enenwan Okon, told our
Southern City News at Akpa Utong about what it is like to conduct
classes in the collapsed building everyday.
She said, "I teach in this dilapidated building despite threats of
cracked walls and pillars falling on us. We do not have offices: this
classroom, which cannot shield us from the elements (sun and rain), is
my office.
"When it rains, the teachers and the pupils do not have anywhere to
hide. The other classroom, which is yet to collapse, cannot contain
the large number of pupils who will troop to it in case it rains.
"Teaching and learning is difficult here. Learning in the open is
better than learning in this building as it can collapse any time.
This is an unnecessary risk that we are taking."
She added that the school also lacked perimeter fences which exposed
pupils not only to accidents, but also to child traffickers and
kidnappers.
Another teacher, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that
the building collapsed in the previous term when the school was in
session. Okon pointed out that although no life was lost, some pupils
sustained minor injuries as they scurried to safety.
[/media-credit] Collapsed classrooms
According to her, even in other classrooms, where the buildings are
just a bit better, there are four classrooms, each separated from the
other just by the arrangement of seats. She bemoaned the lack of
adequate and suitable classrooms.
One of the pupils, whose name was given as Esther, said the state
government had neglected the plight of the school.
Recalling that since the collapse of part of their classroom, teachers
had been appealing to relevant authorities, Esther added that some
people came to the school and pretended that they were going to do
something on the collapsed structure.
Okon said, "It has been a while since we resumed for third term. The
term will soon end and we are yet to see government officials or
agencies coming to our aid. Our lives are not even safe as we learn
under fear."
However, all attempts to speak with the Commissioner of Education,
Prof. Atim Antai, failed as she neither attended to calls nor
responded to a text message sent to her mobile phone.
Firstclassnewsline.net