The Rundele High School Old Students’ Association (RUHSOSA) has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of their alma mater, Rundele High School, Agba Ndele, in Rundele Kingdom, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The association raised the alarm at its inaugural meeting held on Saturday at the school’s conference hall, describing the institution as being on the brink of collapse due to acute shortage of teachers, absence of basic amenities and widespread infrastructural decay.
RUHSOSA lamented that the school currently has no Basic One (JSS 1) students, while more than 65 per cent of its facilities, including teachers’ quarters, are dilapidated and overgrown with weeds. The association also noted the absence of teachers in key subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Literature in English, Physics, Agricultural Science and Civic Education at the senior secondary level, as well as English, Basic Technology, Home Economics and Computer Studies at the junior level.
Calling for urgent intervention, the association appealed to the Rivers State Government to revive the school, which was the first secondary school in Rundele Kingdom and once ranked among the most prestigious institutions in Emohua LGA and the state.
The meeting, which doubled as a reunion of alumni, also marked the inauguration of a new executive committee to serve a three-year term. The newly elected officers are Dr Daniel Agbovu (President), Mrs Juliet Agbaru (Vice President), Dr Promise Chiwe Chinnah (Secretary), Dr Prince Okanna Wachukwu (Assistant Secretary), Evang. Funmilayo Princewill (Treasurer), Mr Sunday Elihuo Uchendu (Financial Secretary), Mr Emmanuel Ovundah Nlewedum (Publicity Secretary) and Mr Dike David Awerunwo (Provost).
Speaking on behalf of the new executive, Dr Agbovu thanked members for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to work with stakeholders and government authorities to restore the school to its former glory.
He appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to urgently visit and rehabilitate the school, and called on the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) and the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board (RSSSB) to post newly employed teachers to the institution.
Following their inauguration, the RUHSOSA executive led hundreds of alumni, including Professor Goddey Wilson, on a needs-assessment tour of the school, reaffirming their commitment to collaborate with all stakeholders to revive the institution.
Pioneer students, including Barrister Emeka Wodo, Chief Joshua Onwuzo and Supol Richard Odukwu, recalled that Rundele High School, established 42 years ago, once produced distinguished professionals and civil servants, and urged that the school must not be allowed to die.
Some current students also appealed to the state and local governments, as well as the Agba Ndele community leadership, to urgently intervene and save the school from total collapse.
