Teachers of Ezeike High School, Ezeawulu Nibo in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State have raised the alarm over insecurity and lack of basic infrastructure in the school.
They said the ugly situation has adversely affected academic activities and general wellbeing of the pupils, calling for government’s urgent intervention.
A teacher in the school, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, said as a result of insecurity in the school pupils and teachers were exposed to attacks by hoodlums.
She said though a perimeter fence was being constructed round the school, the pace of work was slow. “The location of the examination hall in the school has made it a no-go-area as it has been converted to Indian hemp smoking joint by the boys in the area.
“Sometimes, they enter the classrooms, break students’ lockers and cart away their property,” she lamented.
The teacher further revealed that some pupils hired thugs to attack classmates with whom they had issues. “You see pupils scamper for safety whenever they see those hoodlums who usually come into the school with weapons,” she said.
Another teacher, who also did not want her name mentioned, lamented the hurdle the pupils faced in getting water as the school had no borehole.
She said: “Most times when we resume in the school, we will see faeces scattered all over the classrooms, and there’s no way students can stay in such an environment to learn.
“Some of them wouldn’t even mind going to the stream to fetch water to wash the classrooms.”
On the issue of power, she said the school has not had power supply for several years.
She said the laptop donated by the past administration had not been used for a long time. “The students offering computer science have been studying only the theory without the practical aspect of it,” she said.
Another teacher described the school environment as no man’s land. “Most of the teachers had abandoned the staff quarters to the corps members serving in the school for the safety of their family members,” she said.
One of the corps members, who spoke on condition of anonymity, canvassed for a police post in the area or a police patrol to be deployed to wade off miscreants and safeguard lives and property of residents.
He said: “Even though there are street lights around the school area, but it doesn’t penetrate the school environment.
“We’ve recorded cases of theft and burglary by hoodlums in our lodge. They even go to the extent of attacking some of us with machete and razor.”
On his part, the principal of the school, ThankGod Ekwunife, said several efforts to draw the attention of the government had not been fruitful.
He said:”The morning they gained entrance to my office through the burglary proof, I saw my drawer outside with documents including results printouts. They carted away sports wears, footballs and computers.
“I wrote to the Commissioner for Utilities concerning borehole and installation of transformers but noting has been done.
“I contacted the President-General of the community and a vigilance group was sent to us. They parade occasionally. But presently, they are not showing up.”
He called on the government to come to their rescue to safeguard the lives and future of both the students and teachers.