Students and teachers at Ezi-Awka Community Secondary School appeal for urgent intervention as erosion threatens four more classroom blocks and the staff room

Two classroom blocks have collapsed at Ezi-Awka Community Secondary School, Awka, in Anambra State following severe flooding and erosion triggered by persistent rainfall, raising fresh concerns over the safety of students and teachers in one of Nigeria’s most erosion-prone states.

Also read: Two Children Drown in Floodwater Site in Edo

The incident occurred after school hours, preventing any loss of life, but school authorities have warned that four additional classroom blocks and the staff room are now at risk of collapse if urgent intervention is not undertaken.

The development has disrupted academic activities at the school, with several students reportedly withdrawing over fears for their safety while those who remain continue learning under increasingly challenging conditions.

Concerned students, teachers and community leaders made a passionate appeal for government assistance during an assessment visit by officials of the Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency on Thursday.

Speaking during the inspection, the school’s Principal, Mrs Eucharia Ogbunyi, the Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee, Chief Igwedimma Muologwu, and the Senior Prefect, Master Uchechukwu Obi, described the situation as alarming and worsening with every rainfall.

According to them, the erosion challenge has steadily intensified due to inadequate drainage infrastructure and poor urban planning in the surrounding area.

“We are facing erosion challenges in the area and it is now worsening due to persistent rainfall. The erosion has already pulled down two classroom blocks, while four other classroom blocks and the staff room are now under serious threat of collapse,” they said.

The school leaders explained that the deteriorating conditions have created uncertainty among parents and students, with some families already withdrawing their children from the school over safety concerns.

“It has forced several students to withdraw from the school, while those who remain, alongside teachers, face constant danger from the threatened buildings, which could collapse at any moment,” they added.

Despite the structural damage, the school community expressed relief that no casualties were recorded.

“Although no casualty was recorded in the collapse, all our students are in perfect condition,” they said.

As a secondary highlight, the school authorities revealed that the deteriorating environment had previously exposed the institution to security threats, including attacks by cultists, before additional security measures were introduced.

The latest incident has further heightened concerns about the vulnerability of educational infrastructure in areas affected by environmental degradation.

During the assessment, construction engineer Alex Chukwunwike proposed a comprehensive erosion-control project aimed at permanently addressing the flooding challenge.

The proposed intervention includes drainage construction, concrete reinforcement works and landscaping designed to channel stormwater away from the school premises.

According to Chukwunwike, the project would direct floodwaters to the Obibia Stream, located approximately 1.25 kilometres from the affected site, thereby reducing the pressure on the school’s infrastructure.

Responding to the concerns raised by the school community, the Acting Managing Director of the Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency, Ifeanyi Nwasinoke, assured stakeholders that the agency would submit its findings to the appropriate authorities for urgent action.

Nwasinoke said the assessment report would form the basis for government intervention aimed at protecting lives, preserving educational facilities and preventing further environmental damage.

The assurance was echoed by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Ekene Ogugua, who said the state government was already considering immediate measures to address the crisis.

Ogugua disclosed that he would obtain additional details from the assessment team to facilitate prompt intervention and long-term solutions.

He also revealed that plans were underway to construct an ultra-modern classroom block for the school while simultaneously tackling the erosion problem threatening the existing facilities.

The incident highlights the broader environmental challenges confronting Anambra State, which has long been recognised as one of the regions most severely affected by gully erosion in Nigeria.

Over the years, communities across the state have suffered extensive losses as erosion and flooding destroyed roads, homes, schools, farmlands and other critical infrastructure.

Successive governments, often with support from development partners, have launched intervention projects to combat land degradation.

However, experts say rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage systems and increasingly intense rainfall continue to worsen the situation in many communities.

For students and staff of Ezi-Awka Community Secondary School, the immediate priority remains securing urgent intervention before additional buildings collapse and further disrupt learning activities.

Also read: Nigeria Mourns Deadly Floods in Southern Africa, Pledges Support

As the rainy season intensifies, residents and education stakeholders hope swift government action will help avert a deeper crisis and restore confidence in the safety of the school environment.