The government of Delta State has shut Ogume Grammar School, Ndokwwa West Local Government which was razed and vandalized, allegedly, by hoodlums.
The community has also been charged to repair the damaged facilities.
The Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu announced this on Wednesday when she and her team which included the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Augustine Ede Oghoro as well as the Director of School in the ministry, Mrs. Clementina Ojumah among others, visited the school to assess the extent of damage.
The team commiserated with the family of the deceased student and sympathized with the injured and hospitalized principal.
The Commissioner, The New Diplomat learnt, condemned the wanton destruction of public property adding that such act was uncalled for.
However, in a joint meeting between the state government and leaders of Ogume Community held in Asaba on Wednesday October 20, the Commissioner announced the immediate and indefinite closure of the School, saying that the decision was in the best interest of the community and the state in general and especially, to guarantee the safety of teachers and students of the school.
The Commissioner who urged the community to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime, however called on the leaders and other stakeholders to show commitment towards the rebuilding of the school.
Reacting to the incident, the member representing Ndokwa West Constituency in the House of Assembly, Charles Emetulu, condemned the wanton destruction of public facilities, adding that there was no longer any structure for learning in the school after the burning down of the school.
He had earlier declared to the community that government would not be responsible for the repair of the burnt facilities, adding that the community should be prepared to rebuild them.
The 42-year-old Ogume Grammar School, The New Diplomat learnt, was a product of community effort. It was said to have been established in 1973 by Ogume Clan Union following a fund-raising for the project which attracted donations from sons and daughters of the community. The state government then approved and took over the school and it has been one of the best in academic excellence over the years.
When contacted for confirmation, the spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Dafe, said he was yet to be notified of the development, saying, “I have not been able to reach to the DPO.”
Unconfirmed reports however said the razing and vandalization of the school was by students of the school enraged by the death of a girl of the school while trying to escape punishment by the school principal.
