The Ogun State Government has said that it will look at the possibility of establishing a public secondary school and rehabilitating the existing primary school in the Orimerunmu community, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.

The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, gave the assurance in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Metro on Saturday.

PUNCH Metro had earlier reported that residents of Orimerunmu lamented the absence of a government-owned secondary school, saying the situation had forced their children to travel to Ibafo, Mowe, Magboro and Ojodu Berger to continue their education.

The residents said the long journeys exposed the students to transport challenges and the dangers associated with crossing the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

They had appealed to the state government to establish a secondary school in the community and provide a safer means for students to cross the expressway.

During another visit to the community on Friday, residents also raised concerns over the poor condition of the only government-owned primary school in the area.

Our correspondent observed that parts of the Obafemi Owode Primary School, Orimerunmu, were in disrepair, with sections of the building and roofing requiring urgent attention.

A parent, Mrs Mariam Ahmed, whose child recently completed primary school, said the neglect of some sections of the building had contributed to overcrowding.

She said, “Our only concern is that the government should please help us. The building has been abandoned, which has led to overcrowding in the classes instead of dividing the pupils into smaller classes.”

Another parent, Fatai Kabiru, blamed part of the deterioration of the school roof on activities taking place on the unfenced premises.

He said, “The bad shape of the roof was caused partly by football activities because there is no fence around the school premises and no security. Anybody can just enter the school.”

A resident, Mr Adeowo, said the school, which had existed for decades, deserved greater attention from the government.

“The school was established in 1935. It should have been developed more than this by now. If there is no government intervention, there will be no development. The power of the community is limited,” he said.

Similarly, the Secretary to the Baale-in-Council in Orimerunmu, Ariyo Olalekan, urged the government to fence the school and provide adequate security.

Olalekan alleged that the lack of security had allowed some people to remove metal fittings from the school, while football activities had also damaged parts of the facility.

Responding, Arigbabu said the government would include the school among those slated for intervention under its programme to improve infrastructure in schools across the state.

“Intervention is coming to that school. Not only that school, but so many schools we have in the action plan this year,” he noted.

Arigbabu explained that the primary school had low enrolment because there were several private schools in the area, many of which also offered secondary education.

“Not every community can have a secondary school. Before establishing one, we need to consider the level of patronage. The school currently has only 311 pupils enrolled, so if we establish a secondary school there, where are we going to get the students to fill it? “ Arigbabu said.

He, however, said the community would be revisited to assess its needs and consider the possibility of establishing a secondary school there.

He added that providing a conducive learning environment remained a priority of the state government.