The principal of Ovwian Grammar School, Udu, Delta State, Mrs. Celestina Gere, has made a passionate appeal to the government for urgent assistance in improving the security and infrastructure of the school.
According to Mrs. Gere, while speaking to our Public Enlightenment Officer on Monday, the school is currently in a state of disrepair, with no doors or windows in the classrooms, and no perimeter fence or gate to secure the premises. This lack of basic infrastructure has left the school vulnerable to intruders and vandalism.
She narrated a recent disturbing incident to highlight the gravity of the security threat: “I was in my office with a teacher when we saw a woman approaching. From a distance, it was obvious she was mentally unstable. She claimed her child was a student here and demanded to see her. It took a lot of strategy and patience to convince her to leave. Incidents like this could become dangerous.”
Mrs. Gere stressed that without proper fencing and secured classrooms, both students and staff are at constant risk. She also noted that the lack of desks and chairs has further hindered the learning process, making it difficult for students to concentrate or participate fully in class activities.
“We are doing our best to provide quality education, but without the basic tools and a safe environment, our efforts are limited. We urgently need the government to step in, renovate the school, provide furniture, and most importantly, build a secure fence around the compound to protect both lives and government property,” she said.
Mrs. Gere urged the state government and relevant stakeholders to prioritize the renovation and fortification of Ovwian Grammar School, stressing that investment in education infrastructure is an investment in the future.
