Erosion wrecks two classrooms, threatens four others in Anambra

Students and teachers of Ezi-Awka Community Secondary School, Awka, Anambra State, are facing fresh fears after four classroom blocks and the staff room are under threat of collapse following the destruction of two classroom blocks by flooding and erosion.

The two classroom blocks had earlier caved in after persistent rainfall triggered severe flooding and erosion within the school premises.

Although no casualty was recorded because the buildings collapsed after school hours, the development has disrupted academic activities and heightened safety concerns among students, teachers and parents.

It was gathered that several students have withdrawn from the school, while those who remain continue to attend classes under the threat of further building collapse.

The situation has prompted students and school authorities to appeal to the Anambra State Government and other relevant agencies for urgent intervention.

The concerns were raised on Thursday during an assessment visit to the school by officials of the Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency.

Speaking during the visit, the school’s Principal, Eucharia Ogbunyi; Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee, Chief Igwedimma Muologwu; and the Senior Prefect, Uchechukwu Obi, attributed the worsening erosion to poor urban planning and inadequate drainage infrastructure in the area.

According to them, persistent rainfall has intensified the erosion challenge, putting more school buildings at risk.

“We are facing erosion challenges in the area, and it is now worsening due to persistent rainfall. The erosion has already pulled down two classroom blocks, while four other classroom blocks and the staff room are now under serious threat of collapse,” they said.

The school authorities added that the situation had adversely affected learning activities and created anxiety among students and staff.

“It has forced several students to withdraw from the school, while those who remain, alongside teachers, face constant danger from the threatened buildings, which could collapse at any moment.

“Although no casualty was recorded in the collapse, all our students are in perfect condition,” they added.

They also recalled that the deteriorating environment had previously exposed the school to security challenges, including attacks by cultists, before security measures were strengthened.

A construction engineer who accompanied the assessment team, Alex Chukwunwike, proposed a comprehensive erosion-control project involving drainage construction, concrete works and landscaping to tackle the flooding menace.

According to him, the project would channel floodwater away from the school and discharge it into Obibia Stream, located about 1.25 kilometres from the site.

Responding, the Acting Managing Director of the Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency, Ifeanyi Nwasinoke, assured the school community that the agency would submit its assessment report to the appropriate authorities to facilitate urgent government intervention.

He said the move was aimed at addressing the erosion threat and safeguarding lives and property.

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Education, Dr Ekene Ogugua, said he would obtain details from the assessment team to enable the government to determine immediate measures to address the situation.

He added that the state government would work out modalities for the construction of an ultra-modern classroom block while also tackling the erosion menace threatening the school.