By Sandra Kenneth
Severe flash flooding has submerged Community Primary School, Nkpolu, and Community Secondary School, Rumuapara, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, leaving scores of students stranded and crippling academic activities.
An on-the-spot assessment of the facilities revealed widespread destruction, with over 20 classrooms at Community Primary School, Nkpolu, completely abandoned. Floodwaters inundated the premises, destroying books, instructional materials, and classroom furniture.
To keep lessons going, a few pupils were seen receiving instruction in an makeshift building behind the main structure, where they had to contend with leaking roofs, damp floors, and an acute shortage of desks.
A similar situation played out at Community Secondary School, Rumuapara, which was virtually deserted. Only six students were met on-site, all preparing to leave the flooded grounds.
Speaking with journalists, one of the affected students expressed frustration over the situation, lamenting that the persistent flooding has repeatedly disrupted their academic calendar and forced them out of learning spaces.
School authorities and community residents have appealed to the Rivers State Government and relevant emergency agencies for immediate intervention, calling for proper drainage clearing and structural repairs to allow safe learning to resume.
