For parents and leaders of Irepodun community and other adjourning localities along Osogbo-Ilesa road, outskirts of Osogbo, capital of Osun State, the schools their children are attending have become dangerous for their lives.
They said they are no longer at ease each time their children leave home for school, saying public schools in the area would soon collapse if they are not re-constructed.
Worst among the schools in the area is Irepodun Community Primary School at Irepodun, after Olojabala, off Osunjela, Osun State. This school serves Irepodun community and other neighbouring communities.
A visit to the school revealed that the structure has become a death trap.
The school has become an eyesore as its walls have cracked from top to the bottom, the ceilings have broken, and the pillars are almost collapsing.
Also, its learning structure lies within a bushy environment which could host reptiles.
Parents and landlords of the affected communities said with the poor condition of the school, it has become risky for their children and teachers to continue learning and teaching in it.
The community leaders pleaded with the state government to assist in rebuilding the school before it collapses on its inhabitants and causes havoc.
One of the parents who is also a member of landlords association within the community, simply identified as Mr. Aina, bemoaned the condition of the school.
“This school has become so terrible and dangerous. We are afraid because it may collapse soon. What if it happens during school hours when both pupils and the teachers will be in classrooms? So, we are appealing to the Osun State Government to urgently repair the structure in order to protect the pupils and teachers,” he said.
Other stakeholders in the communities said some politicians had promised that the school would be renovated during the 2023 general election campaigns but reneged on their promise after coming to power.
“It has been two years now since some politicians who visited our community to campaign promised to our schools for us, but nothing has been done as our children are still learning under the school that we now consider a death trap,” a parent who did not want to be named said.
They urged Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Ministry of Education in the state to assist them with rebuilding of the school in order for it to be habitable for their wards.
