•A classroom in Aponmu High School
AKURE—HUNDREDS of secondary school buildings across Ondo
State are in such a deplorable state.
Most of the schools that are over three decades old have been
left to rot away by successive administrations in the state.
The immediate past government abandoned public schools
across the state and went on a spending spree by wasting
billions of tax payers’ money to build what it called Mega
Primary schools.
Vanguard investigations showed that the ageing classroom
buildings are depressed in the middle, indicating that they
might cave-in any time.
This could endanger the lives of students and teachers.
Coupled with this unpardonable neglect by successive
administrations, the recent rainstorm in the state further
damaged many school buildings across the three senatorial
districts in the state thereby adding to their woes.
Findings showed that one of the schools badly affected was
the Aponmu Community High School, Akure, in Akure South
Local Government Area which was founded 38 years ago and
presently serves over 50 communities in Ward one of the
council.
It was founded by the first civilian governor of Ondo State, Chief
Adekunle Ajasin.
The school had become a burden to Parents-Teacher
Association through whose efforts the school has been
sustained over the years.
Dilapidating school structures
However, the May 3 rainstorm across the state worsened the
situation as the Aponmu Community called on the state
government to intervene.
Chairman, Parent-Teacher Association, Fashola Richard
Oluwasegun told Vanguard that ”our efforts could no longer
sustain the school as government had placed embargo on
collection of any form of money in whatever guise.
Fashola pointed out that a three classroom block which was
built by Education Trust Fund, ETF during the tenure of the late
Dr. Olusegun Agagu which was meant to serve only Senior
Secondary School 1 is now serving SSS 1 to SSS 3.
“The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the havoc
wreaked on the school by the rainstorm on May 3, 2018 when
the roofs of the main examination hall and that of other blocks
caved in.
Lamenting the poor situation of the school, he said students and
vice-principal now have to converge under trees in the school
premises.
He said: “Before and after the May 3 rainstorm, the PTA had
written series of letters, appealing for government intervention,
even though their subsequent visits are yet to yield the required
results.
“As a saving grace, the hall that was being used for meetings by
PTA is now partitioned to accommodate two classrooms even
as students of SSS 3 are writing NECO examination in an un-
conducive environment.”
Students express displeasure
Many of the students, who spoke with Vanguard, expressed
displeasure over the poor learning condition in their school,
adding that government should be alive to its responsibilities by
providing classrooms for them.
Another school in a bad shape, Agbaode/Orimolade Grammar
School Ikare, in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of the
state, is begging for government intervention.
Coincidentally, the school was equally established 38 years ago
through collaboration between the Ondo State Government and
Iyometa Community to immortalise the first Owa-Ale of
Ikareland, the late Oba Agbaode.
The late monarch was said to have founded Ikare in 13th
Century and the founder of Cherubim & Seraphim Church
worldwide, Saint Moses Orimolade who hailed from Ikare.
The school had suffered neglect by government for years,
leaving the community, through the PTA, as major financier
except the payment of staff salary.
Findings by Vanguard showed that notable personalities had
passed through the school both as students or teachers.
A visit to some schools, especially in the remote areas, showed
that students are learning under harsh environments.
Many of the students especially those in junior classes, put on
more than one clothe because of the wind that blows into the
classrooms which have no windows.
Some of the schools in Ikare having collapsed and dilapidated
structures include Agolo High School, Osele High School,
Ansarudeen (AUD) Grammar School and Ikare Grammar School.
Vanguard was informed by a teacher in AUD Grammar School in
Ikare that the school established in 1962, had produced many
professionals, political and religious leaders including the
founder of Synagogue Church, Pastor T.B Joshua.
A student told Vanguard that “Whenever it rains, the students
feel discouraged to come to school because the classrooms are
flooded while teachers also work in terrible conditions, the PTA
is doing its best but Ondo State Government’s attention is
needed urgently.”
A retired teacher, Ojo Dada said: “AUD Grammar School used to
be our pride in Akoko, especially the people of Ikare, Ogbagi,
Arigidi and Irun, the ensuing accommodation crisis compelled
the school to abolish its long-established boarding system. The
hostels were then converted to classrooms, and even the
existing classrooms are no longer conducive.”
Ondo govt reacts
The Information and Orientation Commissioner, Mr. Yemi
Olowolabi while reacting to the dilapidating state of public
schools across the state assured that government would do
something about the dilapidated buildings.
Olowolabi said: “The state government has awarded over 500
contracts for the renovation of primary schools across the state.
“If the immediate past administration in their eight years had
embarked on renovation of schools, there would not have been
dilapidated buildings in schools across the state.
“If one government in one year awarded over 500 contracts for
renovation of public schools; if every government before us had
been doing that, there will not be dilapidated schools in Ondo
State today.
“This particular school you mentioned, I am sure the Ministry of
Education must have sent people there, to assess the state of
the school and I believe something will be done about it as
soon as possible. I can assure you that no school will be left in
a state of dilapidation in Ondo State.”
