Plans are underway by the Enugu State Government to build over 250 smart schools across the 260 wards in the state.
This, the state government explained, is in a bid to ensure that the poorest of the poor in the rural and remote areas of the state receives world-class education using the 21st century tools.
Prof. Leonard Mbah, Education Commissioner in the state, disclosed this in Ihe community, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State while commissioning the remodeled ultra-model Primary School in Ihe.
The project, which reportedly gulped over N200m, was bankrolled by the old boys of the primary school.
According to the Commissioner, the remodelling of the primary school is in line with the plan of the administration of Governor Peter Mbah to reform education in the state.
Stating that education remained the greatest weapon in fighting a war against poverty, he said, “This reminds me of the 1960s when most of our primary schools were built by communities both home and abroad.
“Those schools lasted because communities invested in them. It means that our communities take ownership and that is the only way our institutions can survive and be sustained.”
Urging other communities in the state to emulate the gesture of the old students, he said, “The initiative was seen as a priority to invest in basic education which is the foundation of the education pyramid.”
The President of the Old Students Association, Dr Madueke Ekoh, in his address said the gesture was necessitated by the poor state of the primary school.
Ekoh, who was represented by Ekenedilichukwu Ekoh, said that the renovation of the dilapidated school into ultra modern facility costs the group over N200 million.
He said that the gesture was a way of giving back to the school and society that nurtured them.
He listed the projects constructed to include the renovation of two big blocks, the building of a modern toilet house with a water closet, the drilling of a water borehole, the construction of a modern basket ball pitch and a lawn tennis court.
Others are the fencing of the school and building of modern library with modern computer room, installation of solar power in and around the school compound, and instillation of recreational equipment.
The Chairman of the event, Chief Anthony Udeh, said, “As an average Ihe man, I am overwhelmed and I am thanking God for this kind of opportunity in our lifetime.”
Earlier, the Head Teacher of the school, Mrs Dorathy Udeani, described the project as ‘huge,’ saying that she was short of suitable words to express her feelings about the initiative.