Parents, Stakeholders Groan As Weeds, Reptiles Take Over Abandoned School

Months after the resumption of the 2026/27 faculty yr, the Akwa Ibom State-run Qua Iboe Church (QIC) Secondary School, at Ibesit Anwa Udo, an remoted rural neighborhood in Oruk Anam native authorities space of Akwa Ibom State stays inaccessible by lecturers, college students and non-teaching members of the college administration.

LEADERSHIP Sunday learnt that the apprehensive employees took a precautionary motion to keep away from the premises resulting from neglect by authorities, forcing solely fundamental schooling facility to overgrow with weeds, turning the huge advanced right into a haven of prison parts and reptiles together with snakes, rodents and different wild animals.

“Because of the neglect, essential facilities like pipe-borne water, classrooms, lodge for corps members, laboratory for senior students, electricity facility and other educational infrastructure have been left to rot away,” Nkereuwem Essien, a neighborhood chief, lamented.

“The significance of fundamental schooling for the rising kids can’t be over – emphasised as a result of the federal government owe the citizenry an obligation to safe the way forward for the boy and woman kids by way of schooling, however for the youngsters from Ibesit Anwa Udo, such luxurious has turn out to be alien to them because the collapse of the one secondary faculty of their neighborhood.

“And because of the fact that children are prone to being lured into any criminal enterprise, the possibility of being indoctrinated into cultism at their early stages is high because no school to engage them,” he famous.

More worrisome to the neighborhood leaders, elders and stakeholders, in line with Mfon Inyang, a retired trainer, “is the deserted faculty might additionally function an abode or hideout for cultists who might the place to an initiation floor for brand new members.

“There’s a high degree of possibility that such avenue could serve armory where cultists, armed hoodlums and other criminal elements keep their guns for quick retrieval for criminal purposes especially during the forthcoming elections in January 2027,” Matilda Udofia, a Guidance/ Counselor, famous

Also tucked contained in the premises with attendant put on and tear, it was gathered, is the uncomplicated classroom block erected as a constituency venture of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“The venture had since been deserted by the contractor as a result of it’s situated in a distant village whereby the progress of labor can’t be monitored.

“Therefore, because of its abandonment, cultists and armed hoodlums have taken over the afforested school and the stranded students are at risk of being recruited and their educational future truncated,” a neighborhood chief, who declined his identify in print, acknowledged.

However, to revive the previous glory of the college which they recalled, had produced distinguished professionals and leaders, the aggrieved residents referred to as on the members of the college alumni, authorities and different stakeholders to rise in the direction of salvaging the neighborhood faculty.

In a petition entitled, “A Call For Urgent Intervention: The Plight of Q.I.C. Secondary School, Ibesit Anwa Udo,” the involved residents appealed for quick motion to revive the misplaced glory of the college

“Education in rural communities deserves the identical consideration, dignity, and funding as schooling anyplace else. No youngster ought to have their future restricted by the poor situation of their faculty.

“The dilapidated state of Q.I.C. Secondary School, Ibesit Anwa Udo, Oruk Anam LGA, raises critical issues concerning the studying surroundings, insufficient amenities, and absence of lecturers in our rural public colleges.

“This is just not an assault on any particular person or authorities. It is a honest enchantment for motion, accountability, and a greater future for our youngsters.

“The kids of the poor deserve high quality schooling, too. Their desires matter, their future issues, and their schooling should not be uncared for.

“We respectfully name on the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Ministry of Education, and all related authorities to go to this faculty, assess its situation, and take pressing steps to revive its amenities and enhance the welfare of scholars and lecturers.

“A uncared for classroom right this moment can turn out to be a misplaced alternative tomorrow. Let us not permit poverty or the situation of a faculty to find out the future of our youngsters. We communicate as a involved residents of Oruk Anam, and and we perceive the ache of seeing the wants of strange folks left unresolved.

“Our kids deserve higher. Our rural colleges deserve consideration. And the way forward for Akwa Ibom is dependent upon the schooling we offer right this moment for the youngsters of the frequent citizen in our society.

“Let this appeal be heard. Let the necessary action be taken. Let no child be left behind,” the petition signed on behalf of different involved residents by Comrade Eteete Udoudo, reads.

However, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Essien Umoh, recalled that the State authorities led by Pastor Umo Eno, has invested massively in schooling reforms as one of many key pillars of the administration’s ARISE Agenda blueprint since assuming workplace in 2023.

He listed the development of mannequin colleges with trendy schooling infrastructure in all rural communities throughout the 31 native authorities areas, assuring that the continued emergency declared by the administration In the schooling sector, particularly on the fundamental stage, could be all encompassing.