By Simeon OSAJIE
Students, teachers, and management of Army Day Junior and Senior Secondary School, Ekenhuan, Benin City, have commended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for the comprehensive renovation and remodelling of the school.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele disclosed that the principals of the Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, speaking separately, described the intervention as timely and life-changing, noting that the school was previously in a deplorable condition before the governor’s intervention.
According to the Junior Secondary School Principal, Itohan Emokpai-Ogbebo, “classrooms were dilapidated, roofs leaking, and learning conditions unsafe for students and teachers alike.
“I assumed duty October 15, 2024, when I came, the state of this school was in a mess, I cried in my heart, I saw students sitting on the floor, sitting on the window, they were not enough classrooms. We had to merge students in a classroom. It was a pathetic situation. But today, you can see things for yourself. We are all happy with the changes that have taken place”
The Senior Secondary School Principal, Mrs.Osakwe Joy, also recalled that the school had suffered years of neglect, with broken furniture, cracked walls and inadequate facilities.
She described Governor Okpebholo’s action as a clear demonstration of his administration’s commitment to education.
“What has been done here is more than a renovation. The buildings were rebuilt, tiles were changed”.
Both principals noted that the newly remodelled classrooms, improved infrastructure, and conducive learning environment have boosted staff morale and students’ enthusiasm for learning.
Some students of the Junior and Senior Secondary Schools also expressed gratitude to the governor, describing the renovation as a dream come true.
The head girl of the senior secondary school, Osayande Sharon, said the new learning environment has made school more enjoyable and has increased their motivation to study harder.
She praised Governor Okpebholo for prioritising education
Governor Okpebholo’s renovation of Army Day Secondary School, Ekenhuan, is part of his administration’s broader agenda to improve educational infrastructure and ensure a safe, conducive learning environment for students across Edo State.