From Enyinna Omoke, Abakaliki
The recent removal of oil subsidy by the Federal Governemnt has affected the resumption of school in Ebonyi State as the turnout of students is very poor while school principals, teachers and parents lament bitterly over the development.
During a visit to Government Technical College, Abakaliki, some students were seen cleaning the school environment in order to prepare for their lectures, while most of their teachers came out en mass getting ready for new academic session.
Principal of Innocence College, Abakaliki, Rev. Fr. Godfrey Ozogebe lamented bitterly over the removal of oil subsidy, saying that it has really increased the low turnout of students in the school.
Fr. Ozogebe, noted that parents are not finding it easy to pay for their children’s school fees and means of transportation has also brought untold hardship, stating that more students would have come back but many couldn’t come back as a result of the prevailing challenges.
He further alleged that after the removal of oil subsidy, over N70 billion was given to lawmakers at the National Assembly while people are passing through hell to provide three square meals for their children, and even to send them to school is becoming difficult.
He, therefore, called on government to take urgent action to alleviate poverty in Nigeria, before it gets out of control.
On her part, a parent, Mrs Ele Charity, called on government to take urgent steps to address this economic hardship as it has affected many parents and children, saying that even the quality of education is gradually going down because of the removal of oil subsidy.
“We have resumed school today but many children didn’t come to school because of current situation of our economy. It really affected school resumption because many students don’t have money to transport themselves to school.
“Many parents are finding it difficult to feed their children talk more of bringing their children to school. Government should do everything possible to come for our rescue,” she said.
An SS 2 student, Okechukwu Valentine, in the college said he would have come back with more school materials, but could not do that because of the current economic situation of the country.
