By Gabriella Ogbu
Residents of Amatu 2 Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have urgently petitioned the state government for intervention amid an ongoing education crisis. The community has faced severe disruptions in their children’s education for the past three years due to a lack of teaching staff and corps members.
Speaking in Ekeremor Town, Mr. Jerry Samasuode, a prominent community leader, expressed frustration over the lack of response from the State Ministry of Education, the State Universal Basic Education Board, and the Post Primary Schools Board despite numerous petitions. He highlighted that their appeals have yielded no action over the past three years.
“The situation is dire,” Samasuode said. “Our children have essentially lost track of their academic calendar; they don’t know when schools resume or end for vacations. If this issue isn’t addressed urgently, we fear that our children may grow up with significant disadvantages, potentially becoming societal problems in the future.”
Samasuode explained that the community once relied on corps members to fill gaps left by absent teaching staff. However, this support has dwindled. “About five years ago, corps members used to help cover the shortfall in teaching staff, but they have now abandoned us as well. The previous excuses of distance and low living standards are no longer valid with the new road connecting Yenagoa and Ekeremor,” he added.
He further noted that despite efforts from the community to assist by providing housing, food, and stipends to the teaching staff, these measures have not been enough to retain educators. “We have gone out of our way to support teachers by offering accommodations and financial stipends, even though this is not our responsibility. Yet, when officials are posted here, they often convince their superiors to redeploy them to urban areas,” Samasuode explained.
The issue of Rural Posting Allowances, he said, has been a significant barrier. “Many of the teaching staff redeployed to urban areas cited the lack of Rural Posting Allowances as their reason for leaving. Despite offering to cover the difference ourselves, they have refused to stay in our community,” he said.
The community leader concluded by reiterating the critical need for state intervention. “Education is the foundation of development, and it’s disheartening to see our children deprived of this essential service. We urge the state government to take immediate action to address these issues and ensure that our children receive the education they deserve.”
