Edith CHUKU
Worried by the deteriorating state of the Rundele High School, Agba Ndele, in Rundele Kingdom of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Rundele High School Old Students’ Association RUHSOSA, has called for the immediate intervention of the government of the state, local and community leaders to save the school from collapsing completely.
They made this call during an inaugural meeting held at the school conference hall, shortly after carrying out a needs assessment tour of the school.
The alumni sent a ‘save our soul’ message to the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to urgently revive the school, and urged the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board RSUBEB, and the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board RSSSB, to post teachers.
They expressed dismay over the dilapidated state of the school, describing it as being on the brink of collapse due to shortage of teachers and absence of basic amenities and infrastructural decay.
According to RUHSOSA, “the school currently has no Basic One (JSS 1) students, more than 65 per cent of its facilities, including teachers’ quarters, are dilapidated and overgrown with weeds.
“The absence of teachers in key subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Literature in English, Physics, Agricultural Science and Civic Education at the senior secondary level, as well as English, Basic Technology, Home Economics and Computer Studies at the junior level is worrisome.
“We appeal to the Rivers State government to revive the school, which is the first secondary school in Rundele Kingdom and once ranked among the most prestigious institutions in Emohua LGA and the state.”
Speaking on behalf of the alumni, the newly elected president, Dr. Daniel Agbovu, pledged to work with stakeholders and government authorities to restore the school to its former glory.
Agbovu begged Fubara to urgently visit and rehabilitate the school while reaffirming their commitment to collaborate with all stakeholders to revive the institution.
Further, some pioneer students, such as Emeka Wodo, Chief Joshua Onwuzo and Mr Richard Odukwu, revealed that Rundele High School, established 42 years ago, once produced distinguished professionals and civil servants, begging that the school must not be allowed to die.
