Flood Threatens Pupils, Schools In Delta

Delta State residents, particularly parents, have called for wider, properly connected drainage networks to protect education and address the threats posed by flooding.

This may not be unconnected to the ordeal of schoolchildren and communities battling the effects of heavy rainfall and inadequate drainage across the state

In Udu local government area, heavy rainfall has affected Ovwian Secondary School, where floodwater reportedly submerged parts of the premises and disrupted access to classrooms for students and teachers.

Isibovbe Primary School in Okurode Urhobo, Warri South local government area, has also been affected, with floodwater cutting off access to the school.

Communities in Igbiki Layout, Ekete Inland and Waterside, Ovwian-Aladja and Orhuwhorun have also reported flooding.

The case of some pupils of Okwue Primary School, Owa-Nta, a boundary community between Ika North East and Ika South local government areas of Delta state, is pitiable.

Some days ago, pupils were seen using containers to scoop muddy floodwater from their classroom as water covered parts of the floor.

The residents claimed the school had been grappling with the problem, but that the situation had become more critical following days of rain.

“The pupils have to scoop water from the classroom before they can learn. These are future leaders and presidents. The pupils battle floodwater instead of concentrating on their lessons.

A resident, who identified himself as Peter, appealed for urgent measures to provide proper drainage, saying children should not have to remove floodwater before lessons can begin.

While describing the situation as unacceptable, he urged the state government and relevant agencies to address the drainage and infrastructure challenges around the school.

“A classroom should be a safe place to learn, not a place where children have to battle floodwater before they can study,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, the Delta state government has said it is implementing measures to address the worsening flooding affecting communities and public institutions across the state.

Chairman, Delta State Flood Committee, Dr Kingsley Emu, also the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said the committee is considering a number of response measures, including public advocacy, provision of relief materials, community engagement and the desilting of drainage channels.