Anambra residents raise alarm over collapsing school building

Residents of Umuoba Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State have raised concerns over the deteriorating state of a two-storey building in the Community Secondary School, Umuoba Anam.

The residents, who raised the concerns after an inspection tour of the school by the Education Committee of the Umuoba Anam Town Union on Thursday, expressed fears that the structure could collapse without urgent intervention.

The delegation, led by the President-General of the Town Union, Uchenna Anizor, and the President of the Umuoba Anam Youth Forum, Onyebuchi Mmeh, inspected classrooms and other facilities while interacting with the school’s management, teachers and students.

Speaking, Anizor said it observed that the ageing two-storey building had developed extensive cracks, raising fears over the safety of students and staff.

He said, “We are appealing to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, through the Commissioner for Education, to urgently intervene.

The condition of this building is frightening, and we fear it may not survive the coming flood season.

“We are also calling on Senator Tony Nwoye, Peter Aniekwe, Obi Nweke and the Chairman of Anambra East, Sir Ifeanyi Chinweze, to support the rehabilitation of the school.”

Speaking, the Youth Forum President, Onyebuchi Mmeh, called on sons and daughters of Umuoba Anam, alumni, age grades, corporate organisations and non-governmental organisations to respond to the call for swift intervention.

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“Anyone can adopt a classroom, replace doors and windows, provide whiteboards or repair damaged roofs. Our priority is to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for our children.

“The school currently has one of the poorest educational infrastructures in Anambra East. We urge community stakeholders to act on the deteriorating state of the building before tragedy occurs,” Mmeh added.

A pioneer student of the institution, Elias Anizor, appealed to members of the school’s Old Students Association to mobilise support for structural reinforcement and renovation of the buildings.

Meanwhile, Jude Onuorah, a teacher in the school, identified inadequate science laboratories, computer facilities and accommodation for teachers as major challenges confronting the school.

Onuorah disclosed that the school lacks laptops required for computer-based examinations after previously supplied devices were lost during the 2012 flood disaster.

Our students are disadvantaged because we lack the digital tools needed for external examinations and STEM competitions. We also need decent accommodation to attract National Youth Service Corps members,” Okoye added.

The school’s principal, Esther Emma-Nwakaeze, commended the community for drawing attention to the situation and appealed to government, philanthropists and development partners to intervene.

Community leaders expressed optimism that timely intervention would prevent a possible structural failure and restore the school to a safe learning environment.