ABANDONED, VANDALISED AND FORGOTTEN: HOW THE ABSENCE OF A FUNCTIONAL SCHOOL IS DENYING OKPAKO CHILDREN THEIR FUTURE
In Okpako Community, children are not dropping out of school because they do not want to learn—they are being forced out because there is no functional public school to attend.
Introduction
Education is a fundamental human right and one of the strongest foundations for community development. Yet, in Okpako Community, Ejamah Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, hundreds of children continue to face barriers to basic education due to the absence of a functional public school.
The only public school that once served the community has reportedly been vandalised and is no longer fit for learning. With no immediate government intervention, many children are either out of school or forced to travel long distances in search of education, while families with limited financial means struggle to afford private schools.
The continued neglect of educational infrastructure in Okpako has renewed concerns among residents about the growing number of out-of-school children in the community. Community members are calling on the Rivers State Government and relevant education authorities to urgently rebuild and equip a functional public school before another generation of children is left behind.
The people affected are the children and families of Okpako Community, a settlement in Ejamah Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, with a population largely made up of indigenes from Gokana, Khana, and Tai Local Government Areas.
The community lacks a functional public school after the existing structure was reportedly vandalised and has become uninhabitable, making quality public education inaccessible to many children.
The challenge has persisted over time and continues to affect children of school age, with residents expressing increasing concern over the lack of intervention.
Okpako Community, Ejamah Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Without a functional public school, children from low-income households cannot access affordable education. Many parents cannot afford the fees charged by private schools, contributing to higher rates of out-of-school children and widening educational inequality.
Why This Matters
Every child deserves an opportunity to learn in a safe and conducive environment.
A community without access to public education risks higher poverty levels, youth unemployment, child labour, crime, and social exclusion.
For many families in Okpako, education has become a privilege instead of a right. Parents who cannot afford private schools face difficult choices, while children lose valuable years that can never be recovered.
Investing in education is not merely about constructing classrooms; it is about building hope, creating opportunities, and securing the future of the next generation.
A Call to Action
Residents are appealing to the Rivers State Government, the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Eleme Local Government Council, elected representatives, corporate organisations, and development partners to prioritise the rehabilitation or construction of a modern public primary school in Okpako Community.
Immediate action should include:
- Rebuilding or renovating the vandalised school.
- Providing qualified teachers and learning materials.
- Improving security to protect public infrastructure.
- Ensuring every child in the community has access to free and quality basic education.
Conclusion
The children of Okpako should not be forgotten. Every day without a functional school is another day that dreams are delayed and opportunities are lost.
Providing quality education is not an act of charity—it is a constitutional and moral responsibility.
The voices of Okpako's children deserve to be heard, and their future deserves urgent attention.
#worldvisioninternational
#childeducation
