Imo State Secondary School for the Deaf faces severe neglect, insecurity, and abandonment
via Punch Nigeria10 min read
The Imo State Secondary School for the Deaf in Ofekata Orodo, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, once a symbol of hope, has deteriorated into a state of severe neglect and ruin. The school, established in 1984, now lacks basic amenities, security, and adequate staffing, impacting nearly 150 students with hearing impairments. The premises show signs of extensive vandalism, including missing doors from classrooms and hostels, which a caregiver reported has led to sexual assaults on female students by hoodlums. There is no running water, and electricity has been non-existent for a long time due to vandalized infrastructure. Students face hunger and abandonment, not only by the government but, in many cases, by their own families. The curriculum is limited to core subjects, with science subjects like Physics and Chemistry no longer taught due to a lack of qualified specialist teachers and functional laboratories. Teachers posted to the school often seek transfers due to the harsh conditions, and incentives for specialist educators were scrapped, leading many experienced staff to leave. Following a viral video exposing the school's condition, staff members were reportedly warned against discussing the situation with outsiders. The Imo State Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Professor Bernard-Thompson Ikegwuoha, apologized for the school's state and confirmed a breached perimeter fence, directing the Mbaitoli Local Government Area chairman to provide security. Innocent
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