Delta Government Moves To Improve Education Sector, Bridge Furniture Gaps In Delta Schools
*As Aniagwu decry politically-motivated misinformation about the condition of schools in Delta
By Ejovwoke Agbubi
UGHELLI – DETERMINED to improve learning conditions in the 1,200 public primary schools and 500 public secondary schools across the state, the Delta State Government led by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has intensified efforts in the production and phased distribution of new school furniture to primary and secondary schools in the state.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, made the disclosure on Friday during an inspection visit to Setal Consolidated Enterprises, the firm contracted to produce and distribute the wooden furniture.
Aniagwu said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration had continued to prioritise education through sustained investments in school infrastructure, laboratories, libraries and instructional facilities across the state.
According to him, the governor first directed a comprehensive assessment of school structures across Delta State, leading to yearly interventions in classroom renovation and construction.
“My colleagues, the Honourable Commissioner in charge of Primary Education and her counterpart in charge of Secondary Education have continuously brought up the issue of improving infrastructure in our primary schools to His Excellency.
“The first thing the governor did was to direct that they carry out a comprehensive investigation of school structures, starting from the buildings, and we have continued to intervene year after year,” he said.
Aniagwu explained that the state government later expanded the intervention to include furniture, laboratories, libraries and other facilities needed to improve teaching and learning.
He noted that many existing school furniture had deteriorated over time due to wear and tear, vandalism and rising student population, making replacement necessary.
“The governor directed that new furniture should be produced for distribution across the three senatorial districts. Because quality is very important, we decided to engage a contractor that has demonstrated capacity and adherence to proper specifications,” he stated.
According to him, the distribution would be done in phases based on a detailed needs assessment carried out by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
He explained that schools would not receive equal quantities of furniture because distribution would depend on enrolment figures and existing facilities in each school.
Aniagwu decried what he described as politically-motivated misinformation about the condition of schools in the state, noting that some persons deliberately focus on abandoned or unused structures to misrepresent the government’s efforts even when classrooms in such schools could cater to more pupils.
According to him, the Oborevwori administration has introduced strict monitoring measures to ensure that interventions are based strictly on verified needs rather than political considerations.
He said the governor had directed ministries to stop arbitrary project nominations by public office holders, insisting that all projects must emerge from professionally verified needs assessments.
“In the past, some people would recommend projects in schools that did not require intervention simply to favour contractors. The governor has put a stop to that. Now, the ministry conducts proper assessment to determine what each school truly needs,” he said.
He added that interventions now include classroom renovation, construction of new blocks, laboratories, toilets, administrative buildings and other essential facilities.
“We are not only building schools; we are also employing teachers and providing instructional materials because Delta State remains committed to quality education,” he stated.
Commissioner for Primary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, said the ministry had already conducted an inventory and assessment of schools requiring furniture through its planning and research department.
“You cannot take furniture meant for 500 pupils to a school with only 200 pupils. We are carefully taking an inventory to ensure fair distribution based on actual needs,” she said.
She faulted reports portraying some schools negatively, stressing that many of the structures being highlighted were not currently needed for academic activities.
