Okpebholo declares state of emergency on Edo public schools
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday declared a State of Emergency on public schools across the state, stressing that they were in a dire condition.
Accompanied by government officials, Okpebholo visited schools in Ikpoba-Okha and Egor local government areas, expressing deep concern over the deteriorating state of urban schools.
The governor voiced his dissatisfaction with the conditions of the schools he inspected, stressing that children in Edo deserved a better learning environment to unlock their full potential.
He recalled that during his campaign, he had pledged to declare a State of Emergency on schools that lacked modern facilities and a suitable atmosphere for learning.
During his visit to Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha and Evbareke Secondary School in Egor, Okpebholo reiterated his disappointment with the challenging conditions under which students were being educated.
“I am deeply disheartened by the state of the schools I inspected today. These conditions are unacceptable for our children.
“During my campaign, I made a commitment to prioritise the rehabilitation of Edo’s schools. I will begin with Evbareke Secondary School and Army Day Secondary School.
“Starting tomorrow, work will commence at these schools. There are no perimeter fences, and erosion has severely damaged the road leading to Army Day Secondary School.
“The road connecting Army Day Secondary School to Boundary Road and Temboga is in a deplorable state, making access to education even more difficult for our children,” he stated.
Edo State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, explained that the governor’s visit was aimed at witnessing the challenges faced by students firsthand, to ensure that every child in the state could learn in an environment with quality infrastructure and competent teachers.
“The Governor is here to assess the difficulties faced by students and to take concrete steps towards finding solutions. His approach to governance is action-oriented, showing the people of Edo that they deserve better,” he stated.
“The Governor has also instructed us to ensure that all children in Edo, including those with disabilities, have access to quality education. Under his leadership, meaningful change is on the way,” Iyamu added.
Earlier, the Vice Principal of Students’ Affairs at Evbareke Secondary School, Mrs Mary Izewingie, informed the governor that the school’s condition had remained unchanged since 2022, despite multiple appeals for intervention.
“We have repeatedly called for assistance, but no one listened. Learning has been an uphill battle for our students. We even attempted to make repairs, but the rains undid our efforts,” she said.
