Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has expressed outrage over the dilapidated state of public schools in the state, vowing immediate interventions to provide a conducive learning environment for students.
The governor made this pledge yesterday during an inspection tour of schools in Oredo Local Government Area, accompanied by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Paddy Iyamu, and other top government officials.
The tour covered Eweka Primary School in Obazagbon, Oroma Primary School in Amagba, Amagba Secondary School, and Uyiosa Primary School in Uzebu. Governor Okpebholo was visibly displeased by the poor infrastructure, inadequate sanitation, lack of security, and insufficient teaching staff in the schools.
At Eweka Primary School, the governor described the state of the school as unacceptable and criticized the previous administration’s EdoBEST initiative. “Look at the situation of this school; it is terrible as children are here, and this is the so-called ‘EdoBEST.’ For me, this is not acceptable. My administration will fix this school,” Okpebholo said.
He further promised immediate action, “This school must be fenced, and by next Friday, I will be here to see the level of work done because work will begin, and in the next few days, you will see transformation in this school. This school has just five teachers. My administration will correct the wrongs and make amends because our job is to make Edo people happy, and our children educated in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
At Oroma Primary School, the governor expressed similar sentiments, blaming the previous administration for neglect. “This is PDP’s EdoBEST. It is what we are seeing now, but we will come with our Renewed Hope Agenda for Edo people. New things will happen in this school. All what they do not have, we will provide. In the next few days, construction will be going on here,” he assured.
The visit to Amagba Secondary School revealed issues of land encroachment. Governor Okpebholo announced plans to fence the school and warned encroachers to desist.
At Uyiosa Primary School, Uzebu community, the governor pledged to rebuild the school and enhance security, expressing frustration over the poor learning environment.
SUBEB Chairman Paddy Iyamu praised the governor’s commitment and revealed that upon his inauguration, he was instructed to prioritize the welfare of every Edo child.
“All Edo children must have access to basic infrastructure, and the overall well-being of their learning process must matter,” Iyamu said.
The governor’s tour marks the beginning of what he describes as a “Renewed Hope Agenda” to transform the education sector and ensure a brighter future for Edo State children.
