Sharon IKECHUKWU
The flood in Eneka, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, has raised concern as it has affected the attendance of students in both private and government-owned schools.
The flood has extended to different areas of the community, making it difficult for students and teachers to attend school regularly.
Houses, roads and surroundings have been flooded, disrupting the movement of motorists and pedestrians along the roads.
The situation has also become a major constraint for students and teachers attending school regularly.
The development has forced most pupils to stay at home to avoid passing through dangerous flooded areas.
TNN correspondent, who visited some schools within the local government area, observed that the surroundings had been flooded, with students struggling to make their way through areas affected by the flood.
Some classrooms were vacant because they had been flooded, restricting students and teachers from accessing them.
The situation has also affected academic activities in the schools, as many students were absent.
During the visit, the correspondent interviewed a teacher at CPS Rukpokwu Primary School in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The teacher said, “Since two weeks now, we have been suffering from flood. My children were passing through the flood to the class, but today’s own is too much.
“As we came to school this morning, the flood was much. I didn’t allow my children to go into the class. I brought them out and merged them with other classes.
“The four classrooms there, nobody went into the classes. I didn’t allow them because I am seeing this sucking blood inside the water.
“I have called my CDC this morning so that he will give me money to make a temporary bridge to enable them to enter the class.
“I am looking for class, talk more when flood has covered everywhere. I won’t allow them to enter the water.
“If you go inside my classes, you will see how they are crowded inside the class. I just merged them so that they won’t swim inside. The flood is too much.
“If you go round the school now, you will see that those four classes are empty. Nobody is there, both teachers and pupils.
“I didn’t allow them to go inside the water and that sucking blood too. I don’t want anyone to be harmed.
“I am calling on the government. They are trying; they should come to our rescue. This is CPS Rukpokwu Primary School.”
The flood has affected schools, their surroundings and academic activities, resulting in low attendance among pupils.
Relevant authorities and the government have been called upon to urgently intervene by addressing the flooding in the community.
Such intervention would help restore academic activities and encourage students to attend school regularly.
