The Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board has at least 700 primary and junior secondary schools in the State need urgent reconstruction and renovation.
Ikeje Asogwa, chairperson of the board disclosed this when members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology visited his office on Tuesday.
He said the board had received reports on the dilapidated structures that needed urgent attention in public schools in the state.
According to him, the schools were in need of intervention in areas of reconstruction and renovation.
Asogwa revealed that the state government had approved N1. 6 billion in February as a counterpart fund to renovate the schools, but said the money was yet to be released.
“By the time the money is released, we will give attention to 130 out of 700 schools that need attention.
“We will give priority to schools based on the level of dilapidated structures,” Mr Asogwa said.
He said the board had embarked on training and retraining of head teachers in public schools in the state for the delivery of quality education.
Asogwa said his team had also embarked on inspection, monitoring and supervision of schools across the state for effective reading and learning among pupils and students.
He said the board had also appointed new education secretaries in some of the local government areas where the tenure of the substantive secretaries had expired.
Asogwa said the board was up to date in the payment of teachers’ salaries and promotion allowances.
The House Committee Chairman on Education, James Akadu, said the visit was part of the oversight function of the committee.
Mr Akadu said the state government has done well in the education sector. He, however, said that more needed to be done because “education is the bedrock of the society”.
He commended the government for the reconstruction and renovation of 1,250 schools in the state from 2015 till date.
The committee chairperson also commended the board for proper supervision and monitoring of the schools in the state.
Sam Ngene, the lawmaker representing Enugu South State Constituency, applauded the board for its efforts in moving the education sector forward in the state.
He urged them to ensure prompt payment of workers leave allowances to enhance productivity.
