Severe flooding and erosion triggered by persistent rainfall have destroyed two classroom blocks at Ezi-Awka Community Secondary School in Awka, Anambra State, raising fresh concerns over the safety of students and staff.
Although no lives were lost because the buildings collapsed after school hours, four additional classroom blocks and the school's staff room have reportedly been weakened and are at risk of collapsing without urgent intervention.
The incident has disrupted learning activities, with several students withdrawing from the school over safety fears, while those who remain, alongside teachers, continue to study and work under the threat of further structural failures.
Students and school authorities have appealed to the Anambra State Government and relevant agencies to urgently intervene to prevent additional destruction and safeguard lives and property.
The appeal was made during an inspection visit to the school on Thursday by officials of the Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency.
Speaking during the assessment, the school’s Principal, Mrs. Eucharia Ogbunyi, the Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee, Chief Igwedimma Muologwu, and the Senior Prefect, Master Uchechukwu Obi, expressed deep concern over the worsening erosion and flooding affecting the school.
They blamed the recurring problem on poor urban planning and inadequate drainage infrastructure within the area.
"We are battling serious erosion, and the situation has continued to deteriorate because of the persistent rainfall. The erosion has already brought down two classroom blocks, while four other classroom blocks and the staff room are under severe threat of collapse.
"The situation has forced many students to withdraw from the school, while those who remain, together with members of staff, face constant danger from the weakened buildings, which could collapse at any time.
"Thankfully, no lives were lost when the buildings collapsed, and all our students are safe," they said.
A construction engineer who accompanied the assessment team, Alex Chukwunwike, recommended a comprehensive erosion-control project involving the construction of drainage channels, concrete reinforcement works and landscaping to effectively tackle the flooding.
He explained that the proposed project would divert floodwater away from the school and channel it into the Obibia Stream, located approximately 1.25 kilometres from the school premises.
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 forward its assessment report to the appropriate authorities to facilitate prompt government intervention.
According to him, the proposed intervention would help address the erosion challenge and protect both lives and infrastructure within the school.
When contacted, the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, said he would obtain the full report from the assessment team to enable the government to determine the necessary steps for immediate intervention.
He also disclosed that plans were already in place to construct an ultra-modern classroom block for the school while simultaneously addressing the erosion problem.
Anambra remains one of the states most severely affected by gully erosion in Nigeria, with many communities and public institutions continually threatened by land degradation, flooding and poor drainage systems.
Over the years, erosion has destroyed homes, roads, schools and farmlands across several parts of the state, prompting repeated intervention efforts by the state government and development partners.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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