•Wind blows off roofs of many classrooms; Uwheru monarch cries out

•Ahon, CPS, says gov will address the problem

By Akpokona Omafuaire

MANY students  of dilapidated Uwheru Grammar School, Uwheru, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, do not have chairs to sit and learn in their classrooms. 

When NDV visited the school, several classrooms lacked window shutters and chalkboards, while the staff room, principal’s office, and other structures were in ridiculously rickety conditions.

The roofs of some buildings have been blown off by wind, and nobody appears to be doing anything about the anomaly. 

Monarch in tears

The Odion R’Ode of Uwheru Kingdom, HRM Simpson Obruche II, said he was in tears when the Old Boys Association of the school invited him in December last year, during its 50th  anniversary, adding: “What I saw was an eyesore, that was not a school, and there is no school there again.” 

HRM Obruche said the principal’s quarters, teachers’ quarters, classrooms, library, and other facilities had been destroyed, and he used the occasion to call on the Old Students Association of Uwheru Grammar School to come to the rescue,   bringing the school back to standard was beyond the association. 

He appealed to the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to look into Uwheru’s dilemma, saying that the people love education. 

“I know Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori is a listening governor who has good intentions for all Deltans, I appeal to him on behalf of the Uwheru people to help us bring back Uwheru Grammar School to a satisfactory standard.” 

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, did not respond to calls and messages sent to her mobile phone.

However, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon said: “As a government, our governor wants more for Deltans; he wants a conducive learning environment for all our children, and Uwheru Grammar School is no exception.

“If, as you said, the school is in bad shape, the government will urgently look at it to carry out renovations to ensure that facilities are replaced for our people to enjoy a befitting learning environment.”