Vandalism Crisis Hits Abia Schools, Stakeholders Raise Alarm

Widespread vandalism in public schools across Abia State has sparked concern among education stakeholders, as headteachers decry the theft of windows, roofing sheets, and other vital facilities that have left classrooms uninhabitable and worsened learning conditions.

The alarm was raised during a monitoring and sensitization visit by the Abia State Chapter of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), led by its president, Comrade Eugene Okonta. The team visited World Bank Model Primary School and Isieke Central School in Umuahia North Local Government Area, where they also distributed educational materials to pupils.

Teachers and administrators lamented that burglars had broken into offices, stolen steel windows, and damaged roofing sheets. They added that youths who play football within school premises are further weakening the already fragile structures, thereby undermining the learning environment.

Headmistress of World Bank Model Primary School, Comrade Queen Okoroafor, joined other school leaders in stressing that vandalism has made schools unsafe and unattractive for teaching and learning.

Confirming the situation, the Education Secretary of Umuahia North Local Government Education Authority, Mrs. Florence Umezuruike, said the names of schools in dilapidated conditions had been submitted to the state government for urgent intervention. She assured that renovation efforts were ongoing, with more schools expected to benefit soon. Umezuruike condemned the recent break-in at World Bank Model Primary School, where vandals breached a collapsed fence to steal windows and other items.

In his remarks, OYC president Okonta urged pupils to embrace discipline, avoid cultism, drugs, and examination malpractice, and live as responsible citizens. He emphasized that the sensitization visits were designed both to motivate pupils and to draw government’s attention to pressing infrastructural challenges in schools.

Representatives of the schools appreciated the OYC intervention, noting that the distribution of learning materials would boost pupils’ morale. They commended the effort as complementary to Governor Alex Otti’s education programmes and the recent initiative by the governor’s wife to equip learners with study materials.