Classrooms collapse, students face uncertainty in Anambra

Academic activities at Ezi-Awka Community Secondary School in Awka, Anambra State, have been disrupted after severe flooding and gully erosion destroyed two classroom blocks, leaving four additional classroom buildings and the school’s staff room under threat of collapse.

The incident followed days of heavy rainfall that worsened erosion within the school premises. Although no lives were lost because the buildings collapsed outside school hours, the development has heightened safety concerns among parents, many of whom have withdrawn their children from the school.

Officials from the Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency (ANSEWCCA) visited the school to assess the extent of the damage. During the inspection, the school’s Principal, Mrs. Eucharia Ogbunyi, and Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee, Chief Igwedimma Muologwu, described the situation as alarming, warning that students and teachers remain at risk as other buildings have developed serious structural defects.

According to the school authorities, the erosion has already destroyed two classroom blocks, while four more classrooms and the staff room could collapse if urgent intervention is not carried out. They noted that the deteriorating condition of the school has disrupted learning and forced several parents to transfer their children elsewhere over safety concerns.

The school’s Senior Prefect, Uchechukwu Obi, said students who continue to attend classes live in constant fear due to the unstable structures. School officials also recalled that the erosion had previously exposed the premises to security challenges, including unauthorized access by criminal elements, before additional security measures were introduced.

Residents and community leaders attributed the worsening erosion to inadequate drainage infrastructure and poor urban planning, saying persistent rainfall has continued to expand the gully around the school.

Construction engineer Alex Chukwunwike, who participated in the site assessment, recommended immediate engineering works, including the construction of reinforced drainage channels around the school, extensive concrete erosion-control measures, and the diversion of stormwater into the nearby Obibia Stream to prevent further soil erosion.

Responding to the concerns, the Acting Managing Director of ANSEWCCA, Ifeanyi Nwasinoke, assured the community that the agency would submit a comprehensive technical assessment to the state government to facilitate emergency intervention. He added that plans are underway to stabilize the affected area and construct a new classroom block to replace the damaged buildings.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, also confirmed that the ministry is working with relevant agencies to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students and staff. He said the government is reviewing the structural integrity of public schools across the state, while stressing the need for proper stormwater management to address the growing threat of erosion in vulnerable communities.

Community leaders have appealed to the state government to act swiftly to prevent further destruction and safeguard the lives of students, teachers and other school personnel.