A cross section of Imo people have berated the Commissioner for Education (Primary and Secondary) Prof B.O.T  Ikegwuoha for doing practically nothing about the dilapidated condition of schools in the state and concentrating primarily on witch hunting Principals of Secondary Schools and staff of the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB) as if that is the primary focus of his office.

A group known as Imo Governance and Accountability Initiative, in a release signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Bon Egenti said, “it is disheartening that over ninety five percent of primary and secondary schools in the three Senatorial zones of the state are in utterly dilapidated conditions despite huge amounts of money that accrues to the state from different sources monthly. In some of the schools we visited, pupils and students are compelled to stay in dirty classrooms without windows and roofs to study in very harsh conditions. The worst aspect and most irritating aspect of it all is that some of these dilapidated schools are located in Commissioner Ikegwuoha’s community. Rather than address the situation, he seems to be more interested in the affairs of SEMB, the promotion, transfer and demotion of Principals that have, by dint of hard work reached the peak of their careers”.

A man who simply identified himself as Chief Abel Ukah, a retired secondary school Principal, said, said, “it appears from his actions and inactions that the Commissioner has some undisclosed personal issues with most of the Principles that makes him lose focus of his primary duties and responsibilities in his desperate attempt to get at them in one way or the other, while at the same time overlooking his main duties.

For instance, I read in the news some time ago that he organized a one day Computer Training program for over 250 principals from each of the senatorial zones of the state with one computer and a projector.”

“At the end of the day, he was quoted as saying that any principal who fails the test will  either be demoted or sacked. Is it the duty of the Commissioner to promote, demote or sack secondary school Principals?

Much as we know that computer knowledge is good and accept its introduction as a welcome development because it will help school administrators to perform optimally. Regrettably, the course outlines that should be taken in at least one week, were insensitively covered in 3days. This, to all intents and purposes, negates quality teaching and learning processes. To worsen the situation and the plight of the traumatized Principals, what was advertised as a 3-day Computer Appreciation workshop, was further reduced to a one-day training program. The timetable that was designed for the program,  divided the 3 days among the 3 senatorial zones of Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu, each having one day instead of 3 days for each zone which we even said was not enough.”

“An unbiased person who takes a thorough and dispassionate look at  the courses outlined in the memo issued to that effect will agree that it requires one month intensive hands on deck training or more to cover it.

The Commissioner also needs to explain why only one instructor was assigned to take between 150-200 participants making the class very rowdy and unconducive for effective teaching and learning. Hence, most of the participants found it difficult to hear the instructors properly. Funny enough, the 150-200 participants assigned to an instructor were compelled to make use of just one computer and a projector for such a sensitive program that, in Commissioner Ikegwuoha’s estimation, should or make or mar their careers.”

I visited some parts of Mbaise where Commissioner Ikegwuoha comes from and Ngor Okpalla, where the Chairman, Imo State House of Assembly Committee on Education comes from. After the visit, I started wondering what has come over our state that makes people in positions of authority not to live up to their responsibilities, while at the same time, dissipating their energy on frivolities.

The amount of money that has accrued to our state in the last two years is enough to transform the education sector by building the type smart schools that the Enugu State government has built in different parts of the state”.