Snakes Invade Fed. Govt. Girls' College Hostel in Akwa Ibom State

Snakes invade college dormitory! I’m not sure why the federal government pays very little attention to education in Nigeria. Public schools’ buildings are in a state and one wonders how anyone can even learn in such an environment. I really respect the students who still manage to excel academically in spite of these harsh circumstances. I just read about this now and it’s really disturbing. I attended this school and the situation wasn’t this bad but clearly, it has deteriorated. I hope that the authorities do something about this because not everyone in Nigeria can afford to send their kids to private schools. I think every child has the right to a decent education free of snakes. Read the story after the cut as reported by Punch online

Parents of students of the Federal Government Girls College, Ikot Obio Itong, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, have criticised the Federal Government over the invasion of the college’s dormitory by snakes.

It was learnt that the continued invasion of reptiles in the hostess is due to thick bushes covering the back of the dormitory. Besides, deep holes which are caused by the opening of the ground, are said to have provided habitation for snakes, especially as grasses grow on top of the hostels’ roofs.

A parent and member of Parent Teacher Association of the college, Mr. Bassey Eyo, said the deplorable state of infrastructure in the college is a cause for concern.

He revealed that the development was caused by long neglect of the college by the federal government.

Eyo told our correspondent that the situation is so bad that the principal had to vacate her office which had collapsed and had to take refuge in one of the classrooms she converted to her new office.

“Snakes are natural phenomenon here. Where walls have fallen apart, the college is not properly fenced or fumigated; the place becomes havens for reptiles. My daughter and her friends have often times been complaining of invasion of reptiles in the college.

“Since the inception of the college, first as a teachers’ training college, for more than 40 years, nothing has been added to reflect its new status as a federal government institution for grooming girls.

“Even in your house, when you allow dilapidation to set in, snakes could find a place to live. Look at the structures, the walls, and the hostess, the ground itself has opened up due to long period of neglect of the college.

“The deplorable state of infrastructure in the college, the dormitory, the staff quarters, the principal office, even some classrooms are in terrible state.

“It is hard to imagine that is where government expects to produce future leaders. I am appealing to all the authorities concerned, the FG, who happens to be the proprietor of the school, Niger Delta Development Commission, and Petroleum Education Trust Fund, to assist,” he said.

He stated that parents have done much for the college over the years. He said that the PTA had provided, to a large extent, some facilities like new buildings, adding that there was limit to what the association could do as parents, especially as the school belongs to the FG.

He noted that the FG had done much work to revamp education in the country, asking that the effort should also be extended to the college.

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