The Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE) has decried what it described as the dearth of education materials and basic infrastructure in Imo.
A correspondent of C- Advocate newspaper, a brainchild of the CSAAE, made the observation in Owerri, on Tuesday as part of activities to mark the year 2025 International Day of Education.
C- Advocate reports that the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.

The theme for year 26 is Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence
The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, said that the International Education Day 2025 would be dedicated to the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence.
Our correspondent who visited the Unity Primary School, Nwangele, reports that the school suffers a lack of basic infrastructure such as pipe borne water, toilets and others.
Pupils have resorted to defecation in nearby bushes as a result of lack of hygienic rest rooms, thus exposing themselves to the danger of attack by wild animals and the danger of disease and infection.

Basic learning materials such as sandals and school bags have also not been provided for the pupils who complained that their parents can barely afford their feeding.
Some of the teachers who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that they were managing the situation but called on government to intervene to alleviate the sufferings of pupils and students in rural schools.
Also, some of the pupils who spoke with our correspondent said that given the state of infrastructure in the school, they lack the hunger to go to school.
C- Advocate however reports that CSAAE’s Back-To-School pack which was launched in November 2024 has been made available to members of the public.

We therefore call on well meaning Imo people to take advantage of the Back-To-School pack to ensure that truancy and delinquency are holistically addressed.
To access the pack, feel free to dial CSAAE’s toll free line, 0800 900 1000.
As the world celebrates the Int’l Education Day, C-Advocate remains committed to affordable education for all, in line with UNESCO’s mission.