Primary school pupils of Okwue Primary School, Owa-Nta, Delta State, were on Tuesday seen packing water out of their classroom after rain flooded the school premises.
In a video that circulated online, the pupils, some barefoot, were scooping water with buckets and bowls while chanting “Water is beating our primary school students.”
“According to eyewitnesses, heavy rainfall on Monday night caused floodwater to enter the classrooms. The pupils resumed on Tuesday to meet their desks and learning materials soaked,” a resident said.
Parents and community members expressed concern over the condition of the school, saying the situation has persisted for years without government intervention.
“According to a parent, our children cannot learn in this condition. Every rainy season, this same thing happens. We are begging the Delta State Government and SUBEB to come to our aid,” the parent said.
The Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, and the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, have previously said they are working to rehabilitate schools across the state.
Education stakeholders said flooding in public schools affects learning outcomes and exposes pupils to health risks. They called for urgent drainage work and renovation of affected schools.
As of press time, the Delta State Ministry of Education and SUBEB have not released an official statement on the incident.
In a related development, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, had earlier warned of possible flooding in parts of Delta State due to continued rainfall.
Meanwhile, community leaders in Owa-Nta said they have written several letters to government agencies requesting desks, roofing repairs and proper drainage for Okwue Primary School.
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