Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chiedu Ebie has said lack of land within Asaba capital territory is hampering construction of new schools to cater for the surging demand.
He was addressing a press briefing to break down the 2018 budget which was presented by the state governor last week to the Delta State House of Assembly.
Pressure has been mounting from parents seeking placement for their children, learning infrastructure has dwindled across the state, particularly in urban centres, because land to build schools is unavailable.
Six weeks into a new academic year, many students for junior and senior classes are yet to be placed in public schools due to a dearth of classrooms, desks and chairs.
In some schools visited, like GRA, Westend, Asagba, Zappa Mixed Secondary Schools, all in Asaba, students between 100 and 150 are crammed into a classroom, with majority standing all day, as there were no chairs and desks provided.
“We are establishing more schools in areas where they are needed, sadly, our greatest challenge is land for us to establish schools within the capital territory,” Ebie said.
Specifically answering question the flooding of a secondary school in Okwe, Ebie said the housing ministry was working to determine extent of work needed to renovate the classrooms and channel rain water away from the school grounds.
