Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area – The Umueze Community Primary School, once a beacon of hope for the children of Amaimo in Imo State, now lies in a state of utter neglect and disrepair.
The school, which should be nurturing the minds of the future generation, has become a shadow of its former self, raising serious concerns about the state of public education in the area.
Currently, the school operates with only five teachers covering both nursery and primary sections, a number grossly inadequate for the student population.
The lack of basic infrastructure is glaring: there is no perimeter fencing to secure the school premises, exposing pupils to various dangers, including frequent snake attacks reported by both teachers and parents.
The absence of toilets for pupils and staff further compounds the dire situation, making the learning environment unhygienic and unsafe.
There is no pipe-borne water to meet the WASH needs of the school as stipulated by UBEC.
The physical condition of the school buildings is equally alarming. Windows are falling off their frames, and the roof leaks whenever it rains, disrupting lessons and damaging whatever little learning materials are available.
Classroom chairs are nonexistent, forcing pupils to sit on the bare floor during lessons. The pupils themselves suffer from inadequate school uniforms, a lack of proper footwear, and a severe shortage of learning materials.
This is against the backdrop of Imo State’s whopping N49.46 billion education budget for 2025.
A teacher at the school, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed the extent of the crisis, stating that she once spent 30,000 naira from her pocket to purchase books for the pupils.
This personal sacrifice highlights the dedication of the few remaining teachers but also underscores the neglect from authorities and the urgent need for intervention.
The situation at Umueze Community Primary School calls for immediate action from both local and international bodies.
There is a pressing need for organizations such as UNESCO and UNICEF to step in and provide support to improve the school’s infrastructure, supply learning materials, and ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for the children.
Furthermore, the C-Advocate Newspaper appeals to the illustrious sons and daughters of Umueze, as well as good-spirited Nigerians across the country, to rally support for the pupils of this beleaguered school.
Collective efforts can help restore the school to its former glory and give the children of Amaimo the education they deserve.
Without urgent intervention, the future of many children at Umueze Community Primary School remains bleak.
It is a clarion call to all stakeholders in education and community development to come together and turn this tragedy into a success story. The children of Umueze deserve nothing less.