By Chioma Onuegbu

UYO—THE  Akwa Ibom State Government is giving a facelift to dilapidated community secondary schools in the state. At West Itam Secondary School, one of the affected institutions in Itu local government area, Niger Delta Voice observed that the classroom blocks were undergoing renovation, while additional blocks as well as the internal roads were under construction.

One of the classroom blocks being renovated and a sports pavilion (inset)

Commissioner for Education, Mr. Aniekan Akpan, explained that state government was arranging to convert the school, alongside other selected secondary schools in the 10 federal constituencies in the state, into model secondary schools with boarding and recreational facilities.

Ultimate plan

His words: ‘’More structures are coming up. The ones you see there are mostly renovations. We are expecting that by September, which is the next school session, we should be able to convert that school into a model school that will come with all facilities, including boarding facilities.” “That is why you see all the structures being renovated and new ones being constructed. By then, all those structures should have been completed, including the internal roads,” he added.

He asserted: ‘’Within the period, we will have hostels for males and females. Already we have the sports facility, which has been completed and commissioned in the school. And apart from West Itam Secondary School, if you go to Four-Towns community Secondary School, along Abak road,  also if you go to Salvation Army School in Etinan and   Ikot Mbong in Onna   local government areas,    you will see a lot of intervention going on.”

300 projects on rescue list

“The Schools’ intervention ranges from reconstruction of classroom blocks, water projects, assembly halls; internal roads, sports facilities and hostels are being constructed simultaneously. The intention of this government is that we should have such schools across the 10 federal constituencies and it means that the governor came prepared for governance,” he said.

Akpan noted that state government through SUBEB had already released about 300 projects for intervention in both primary and secondary schools, adding that they were hoping that with improvement in the funds that come into the state, government would carry out more interventions.

Communities excited

Village head of Ekit Itam11, one of the communities hosting the school, Eteidung Aloysius Ebong, appreciated the present administration for considering the school among those selected for intervention.