By: Uchino Amatey
In line with the whole school model approach, the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (CR-SUBEB) has commissioned a motorized borehole and a nine classroom block, comprising of library, lavatory, and offices at Yache Community Secondary School, Alifokpa, Yala Local Government Area.
Commissioning the projects, the Executive Chairman CR-SUBEB, Dr Stephen Odey thanked the students and Community for the warm reception. He said the governor Ben Ayade led-administration was poised to improve the standard of education in the State and urged them to continue to support his administration.
Dr Odey said the construction of a nine classroom block with library, lavatory, and office, as well as the water project was to key into the whole school approach which encourages model school structure.
According to him: “We are adopting a whole school approach. We are gradually deviating from six class room blocks without toilets, library or offices for the teachers and student to use. With the whole school approach, students and staff can have a more conducive environment for effective teaching and learning to take place. This has already been replicated in some schools in other Local Government Areas and we will continue to replicate same across the State.”
He said with the model school structure, the school will witness an increase in student enrolment. “Before our first intervention, they had about 50 students and today they have about 300 students, I believe that with these new structures a higher enrolment increase will occur here.”
Dr Odey, who was visibly excited, extended his gratitude to Governor Ben Ayade for restoring the lost glory of the school which he was a pioneer student of.
In his words “I cannot thank Governor Ben Ayade enough for coming to the rescue of this school and returning its lost glory. When we came on Board and saw the poor state of the school which I once belonged to as a pioneer student, I knew we had to intervene and salvage the situation.”
Speaking earlier, the Principal, Yache Community Secondary School, Mrs Juliana Ochonu thanked Governor Ben Ayade and the Board for the nine classroom block and motorized borehole. She further extended gratitude to the Board Chairman for salvaging the basic education sub-sector in the State through his numerous achievements.
Mrs Ochonu added that due to the Board’s intervention in her school, the population has increased tremendously. She however appealed that the Board equip the newly constructed Library and meet other needs in order to ensure a smooth running of the school.
While presenting an address on behalf of the Chiefs, Elders and Youths of Alifokpa, the Chairman, Ewor People’s Assembly, Rtd. DSP Maurice Ogar, expressed his joy at the new image of the school which he said suffered abandonment owing to infrastructural decay in the past.
According to him: “this school was abandoned, under-staffed and dying a natural death owing to infrastructural decay occasioned by lack of interest in the education sector. We made several efforts to draw past governments attention to the school all to no avail. Parents started withdrawing their children to other private institutions, leading to poor enrolment. All of these changed when you came to our rescue and presented us with the first six classroom block, lavatory and office, and today you are here again to commission a nine classroom block with a library, lavatory, office and borehole.”
He said within the last three years of the Board’s intervention in the school, students enrolment has increased and academic performance at both internal and external examinations have improved.
Mr Ogar further stated that the nine classroom block and motorized borehole, as well as other projects the school and community has benefitted under the Prof. Ben Ayade-led administration are palpable testaments to the passion the Governor has for the education sector and the people.
Several students of the school thanked Governor Ben Ayade and the Board for giving their school a facelift, pledging to put the facilities to good use and abstain from vandalism.
The event also featured celebratory dances, praise songs, performances by students and a 3 year scholarship award to Ijato Godsgift, a JSS 1 student of Yache Community Secondary School, by the Board Chairman for his outstanding performance during the event.
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