Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, conducted a surprise inspection of schools across the state on Wednesday, expressing his disappointment and concern over the deplorable state of infrastructure, sanitation, security, and overall learning environment.
Governor Okpebholo on Wednesday embarked on a tour of schools in the Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, accompanied by top government officials, including Paddy Iyamu, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). The tour included visits to Eweka Primary School Obazagbon, Oroma Primary School Amagba, Amagba Secondary School, and Uyiosa Primary School Uzebu.
Governor Okpebholo wondered about the kind of “Edobest” program run by the past administration, saying rather than improving the fortunes of the people, the initiative deprived the Edo child of a comfortable learning environment.
At Eweka Primary School Obazagbon, 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 week 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 Amagba, Governor Okpebholo said: “This is PDP’s Edobest. It is what we are seeing now but we will come with our renewed hope agenda for Edo people. New things will happen in this school. All that they don’t have to provide. In the next few days, construction will be going on here.”
The Governor and his entourage also visited Amagba secondary school, where some persons had encroached on the school land.
Governor Okpebholo promised immediate fencing of the school while warning perpetrators to desist from encroaching on school lands.
At Uyiosa Primary School Uzebu Community, Governor Okpebholo promised to rebuild the school and provide security as he frowned at the unconducive learning environment in the school.
Some residents of the area commended the move by Governor Okpebholo to rebuild the school after years of dilapidation.
SUBEB Chairman Paddy Iyamu said immediately after the Edo State Governor inaugurated him, he gave a matching order that every Edo child in any school in Edo State must matter.
He said every Edo child must have access to basic infrastructure and the overall well-being of their learning process must matter.
“We came here yesterday, and what we met on the ground was worrisome as this is the only government school in this community.
“Sadly the CORA City Obaseki led-administration claimed its building is close to this place. There is no infrastructure, no learning materials, and no classroom. It is not habitable. We are here with His Excellency who promised to begin work here to enable every Edo child access to quality education.”