Poor School Conditions in Akwa Ibom Highlighted Online

A disturbing video has surfaced showing the deplorable conditions in Ibiaku Itam primary school, located in Itu Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, where pupils are forced to sit on the floor due to a lack of adequate seating. The footage reveals a classroom with broken furniture and children lying on the floor to write.

Despite the 2022 budget approval for the construction of 31 model primary schools and the provision of 1,164 public primary schools, many remain unattended, with Ibiaku Itam reflecting a broader trend across the state. The administration of Governor Umo Eno has not prioritized seating in schools, as evidenced by the 2023 budget, which allocated funds for dual desks and chairs but showed no recorded expenditures.

The Akwa Ibom State Universal Basic Education Board, represented by Chairman Ubong Umoh, has been questioned about the lack of oversight and monitoring of these issues. The 2024 budget repeats previous allocations without evidence of spending, raising concerns about the state's commitment to improving educational infrastructure.