Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State conducted an inspection of several schools across the state on Wednesday, expressing concern over the deteriorating infrastructure and poor sanitary conditions in many of the schools.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Paddy Iyamu, and other top government officials, the governor visited Eweka Primary School in Obazagbon, Oroma Primary School in Amagba, Amagba Secondary School, and Uyiosa Primary School in Uzebu, all located within the Oredo Local Government Area.
During the visit, the governor raised concerns about the security and learning environments in the schools, criticizing the previous administration’s education reform programme, EdoBEST.
He stated that the programme had failed to improve the educational conditions and instead worsened the learning environment for students in the state.
At Eweka Primary School, Okpebholo highlighted the poor state of the school and the inadequate facilities available for the students. He pledged that his administration would prioritize the repair and improvement of the school, including fencing the premises, with work expected to begin soon. He also noted that the school was under-resourced, with only five teachers, and assured that staffing and facilities would be addressed.
At Eweka Primary School, the governor said: “Look at the situation of this school; it is terrible as children are here, and this is the so-called EdoBest. For me, this is not acceptable. My administration will fix this school.
“This school must be fenced and by next Friday, I will be here to see the level of work done because work will commence and in the next few days, you will see transformation in this school.
“This school has just five teachers. My administration will correct the wrongs and make amends because our job is to make Edo people happy and our children educated, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
At Oroma Primary School, the governor promised a renewed approach to education in the state, with plans for significant construction and improvements in the coming days. He emphasized that his administration would ensure that all necessary resources were provided to the schools, unlike the previous administration’s approach.
Okpebholo also committed to rebuilding some schools, improving security, and ensuring that those schools without proper fencing would be secured. He warned against encroachment on school lands and pledged that his government would take action to protect these properties.
Residents of the areas visited by the governor expressed their support for the inspection and were hopeful about the promised improvements to the education system in the state.
At Oroma Primary School, Okpebholo said that his renewed hope agenda for the people would be different from the PDP’s EdoBEST.
“New things will happen in this school. All what they don’t have will be provided; in the next few days, construction will be going on here,” he said.
