The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), on Monday, commenced a tour of public schools in the Delta capital town to assess their environment for quality teaching and learning.
The Asaba, who paid an unscheduled visit to Asagba Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, was conducted round the classrooms by the School Principal, Mrs Esther Ajufoh, where he interacted with the students.
The initiative was one of his promises during his coronation as the 14th Asagba of Asaba in October 2024 to get involved in the educational development of his kingdom.
He said that the tour was expected to enable him to confirm, first hand, what he was told about the condition of schools in the area, especially over-crowded classrooms.
Summing up his impression at the end of Day One, he told newsmen that there were no fewer than 90 students in virtually all the classrooms inspected which, according to him, negates the standard student-teacher ratio.
The traditional ruler described the situation as worrisome and needed to be urgently addressed.
Azinge also said that the over crowded classrooms were not only inimical to effective teaching and learning, but also could encourage students’ involvement in crime and social vices.
He further said that such situations could impact negatively on the community and society at large.
He frowned at the unconducive state of the classrooms, where the students were made to learn under intense heat.
He, however, encouraged them to focus on their studies, in spite of the unwholome situation they found themselves.
Azinge promised that Asaba community, under his watch, would assist in finding solution to some of the challenges faced by the schools.
He expressed the opinion that “the burden of funding education should not be on government alone”.
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