Opinion
By Emma Akpabio
Every newly built or renovated school represents an investment in the future of Akwa Ibom’s children. But when roofs are damaged, windows broken and classroom furniture destroyed, the benefits of such investments are threatened.
The question is no longer just how much government has spent on education infrastructure, but how well these facilities are being protected.
From the administrations of Obong Victor Attah and Senator Godswill Akpabio to Mr Udom Emmanuel and the incumbent, Governor Umo Eno, successive governments have invested heavily in renovating and improving public schools.
With fewer than 1,200 primary schools and 400 secondary schools in the state, every facility matters. Public resources committed to improving these learning environments should not be wasted through neglect or irresponsible use.
Although school buildings naturally deteriorate with age, weather and inadequate maintenance, human actions accelerate the process. Importantly, responsibility for damage should not automatically be placed on pupils and students; the conduct of adults who use school premises may also be a factor.
A recently renovated primary school beside the Federal Secretariat along Abak Road, near the flyover in Uyo, has raised concerns after photographs appeared to show sections of its roof damaged. The circumstances surrounding the damage remain to be established, but the situation highlights the need for stronger protection of public facilities after renovation.
There are also reports of adults removing classroom chairs and desks during festive periods to watch football matches or hold other gatherings on school premises. When furniture is left outside, exposed to the elements or returned in a damaged condition, pupils are among those who suffer the consequences.
Broken windows, missing glass panes and damaged electrical fittings further underscore the importance of responsible use and proper maintenance.
The cost of repairing these facilities ultimately falls on the public. Funds used to replace damaged furniture or fix broken roofs and windows could otherwise support additional improvements in the education sector. Repeated damage therefore undermines the value of government investment and places avoidable pressure on public resources.
Government has sustained its commitment to renovating, equipping and maintaining schools, while ensuring adequate security and timely repairs. School authorities also have a duty to monitor facilities and report damage promptly.
However, these measures will achieve little if communities and individuals who access school premises do not respect the property entrusted to their care.
Public schools belong to the communities they serve, not merely to the authorities that provide them. Parents, residents, community leaders and other stakeholders must help protect these assets. Policies restricting social events on school premises without proper authorisation should be respected, and anyone granted permission to use the facilities should ensure that buildings, furniture and equipment remain intact. Where deliberate damage or theft is established, appropriate accountability should follow.
As the campaigns kick off and festive season approaches, school authorities should take extra precautions to secure buildings and equipment during holidays and weekends. Community members can support these efforts by reporting suspicious activities and discouraging the misuse of school property.
Ultimately, the quality of public education depends not only on government investment but also on how well the resulting facilities are preserved. Successive administrations may renovate classrooms and replace equipment, but these efforts cannot deliver lasting value if the same assets are repeatedly damaged or neglected.
While Government must provide and maintain our schools; citizens must protect them. If the future of Akwa Ibom’s children truly matters to us, safeguarding their learning environment must become a shared responsibility. The survival of our schools depends not only on what government builds, but also on what society chooses to preserve.
