SERAP IN THE NEWS

Following SERAP’s petition to the Ogun State governor Ibikunle Amosun, copying the Minister of Education, among others, the Minister of Education has responded saying, “We commend your organization for your concern on the appalling and deplorable state of the Ipokia LG Primary School. The Ministry has taken note of the matter and necessary steps would be taken to address the matter.”

SERAP’s petition read in part:  “We seek your urgent intervention and investigation in the appalling and deplorable state of Ipokia Local Government Primary School, Akere, Ogun State; a primary school situated in Akere, Ipokia Local Government, which provides basic education to children in the community as well as other neighbouring villages namely Wheke, Ilasa, Ajaluto, Gbodota and Zebe.

“SERAP notes that the present state of Ipokia Local Government Primary School is deplorable, unconducive for learning, hazardous and life-threatening to the pupils who have no other alternative source of accessing such basic education in the Akere environs. From clear and genuine evidence gathered by SERAP, majority of the school’s pupils are taught under the hot scorching sun with no protection except a Mango tree from which deadly snakes, scorpions, termites, and other deadly reptiles and animals could fall and attack these poor, innocent and defenceless pupils.”

“SERAP wonders why pupils at Ipokia Local Government Primary School, Akere have to study under such deplorable condition. The appalling school building and condition constitute disincentives to the enjoyment of the right to education of these pupils and may jeorpardise its realisation.”

“SERAP has been further briefed that there was an initial budget of N30 million naira for the construction, repair and renovation of class rooms in the school but that up until this moment there has been no concrete plan to carry out these projects even though funds have been earmarked for it.”

“SERAP demands to know whether funds have earlier been earmarked for this project and if in the affirmative, why is the school still in such state of disrepair. We call for an urgent and thorough investigation in this regard. For these pupils to enjoy their right to education, the Ogun State government cannot escape the unequivocal obligation to provide necessary infrastructures towards the attainment of this right claiming the necessary resources are not available.”

“SERAP notes that education is both a human right in itself and an indispensable means of realizing other human rights. As an empowerment right, education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities. “

“Education in all its forms and at all levels exhibit one of its most important essential features of “availability”, which entails that functioning educational institutions and programmes have to be available in sufficient quantity and provided for by the concerned authority which in this instance is the Ogun State government.”

“SERAP therefore urges you to ensure a range of special measures to this effect including but not limited to allocating targeted financial, material and human resources to implement policies and programmes which specifically seek to improve the access to education for these children. The children and pupil in Akere community have reduced access to education due to a variety of factors including insufficient educational facilities and teachers.”

“SERAP therefore urges you to use your good offices and position to urgently: Take steps to thoroughly investigate spending of the money earmarked for the construction of classrooms in this school and to trace the money and ensure it is used for the purpose for which it was budgeted; Instruct the appropriate authorities to urgently construct school buildings and classrooms which are safe and conducive for learning for the pupils of Ipokia Primary School, Ogun State.”

“Instruct the appropriate authorities to employ more class teachers in the school which is currently lacking in personnel; Instruct the appropriate authorities to provide learning and instructional materials some of which include sufficient desks, seats, wall charts, books and a decent library; Instruct the appropriate authorities to provide decent and hygienic sanitation facilities for both sexes in the school.”