Read to Lead Initiative (RLI) an Abia based civil society organization focused on ensuring quality and standard education for pupils and students across Sub-Saharan Africa has commended the Dr Alex Otti led government in Abia State for remembering the deplorable school structures across the state .
Director – general of RLI Comr. Tochukwu Eluwa while reacting to the statement credited to the Special Adviser on Education to the Abia governor , Prof. Mrs Uche Eme Uche where she was quoted to have said that ” the government will renovate 17 primary schools in the 17 LGAs of the state. It doesn’t matter how big the school is , it will be renovated or rebuilt to the best standard”.
Comr. Eluwa commended the governors aide for the tour of the schools. He said he has no doubt she was disappointed with what she saw. He posited that what is used as classrooms for teaching and learning in most Abia public schools are not even fit for poultry .
He further added that, the number of public schools enrollment in the state is reducing per term due to poor state of the schools , nonpayment of workers salaries and shortage of teaching staff.
He argued that, the neglect of public schools over the years has led to the proliferation of mushroom private schools in every corner of the state.
While commending the Abia government for the strong words, he however cautioned that this should not end as mere rhetorics. He also recalled that the governor during his inaugural speech announced that the government will employ 5,000 teachers.
RLI called on the government to match words with action. The group advised the government to put a timeline to any of it’s proposed educational projects. As this will enable CSOs monitor and follow up on projects.
RLI posited that the public school system in Abia is at the verge of extinction if nothing is done quickly to resuscitate the breath gasping schools.
The group commended the government for the moves so far, describing it as a step in the right direction. They however stated that the real applause will come when results of the statements starts manifesting.