Uncommon transformation: A'Ibom students write exams under rains, leaked roofs

Students

Students of Edu Secondary School in Ikot Edeghe, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have decried their continuous suffering which they have termed “cursed educational system in the state”.

The students who came out of their terminal exams soaked and drained complained bitterly of poor academic environment and total neglect of their school, characterised by perforated roofs and poor management for more than a decade.

One SS2 student who is currently writing his terminal exams and gave her name as Ima, said the situation has been their fate since she joined the school five years ago. She said, most of the students failed the last West African School Certificate (WAEC) exams woefully as a result of the perennial leakage of the school’s roofs during exams, as they battled with the rains during classes and exams.

“This is how the past students sat and wrote their WAEC examinations, as most of them got F9 and mere pass grade. Very few of them managed to secure credit passes in few subjects. I and a few friends of mine have vowed not to take our final exams in this school since there is no effort towards any change.

” We have already told our parents this; and they’re making arrangement for us to move to another school. I know it is going to be expensive, but we are not going to bother about it since our parents have accepted it.’’ Ima cried out.

Our correspondent met with an ex-student of the school , Master Imo Udo, who was in the school to collect his WAEC and NECO results. He initially refused to speak to us, but later granted us audience. Master Udoh said he had earlier predicted the poor outcome of the results because the Science Laboratory had been abandoned due to lack of facilities and the continuous leakage of the lab roof. He called on the government to urgently intervene. He expressed surprise that, no noticeable improvement had been made since he left the school last year, even with the Deputy Governor, Lady Valerie Ebe who is from the very village.

“I pray that government of Akwa Ibom State would comes and renovate this school. Why are we shouting ‘free and compulsory education’ when schools are in deplorable condition in our state?

” What baffles me most is that, the new Deputy Governor, Mrs. Valerie Ebe is from this very village. I wonder if she is not aware of the rot in this school”

Effort by our correspondent to speak with the Principal, Mr. Joseph Ukpe did not yield any dividends as he was said to have travelled to Uyo for the All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS).

A little drama, however, ensued when our reporter decided to take pictures of the schools and students who were writing exams in the waterlogged classes. They were confronted and sternly warned by an unknown staff not to do so. The threat was that our reporter’s camera would be confiscated. However, an ex-student of the school saved the situation by providing us with some pictures through his mobile phone.