The Rivers State Government has approved the immediate upgrade of Community Secondary School, Agbonchia, in Eleme Local Government Area, from a junior to a senior secondary school.
The State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor, announced the approval during an inspection visit to the school on September 24, following an invitation by the Oneh-Eh-Eta of Agbonchia Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Emere Joseph Ngeto.
Dr Nwagor also directed the deployment of teachers to the school, saying the development would improve access to secondary education for children and youths in the community.
The Commissioner commended the traditional institution and residents for their efforts in establishing and developing the school, describing community participation as important to the growth of education.
He said the state government regarded education as a key component of human capital development and urged parents in Agbonchia and neighbouring communities to patronise public schools.
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Dr Nwagor also appealed to community leaders and other stakeholders to protect the school’s facilities from vandalism and ensure that investments in education were preserved.
Earlier, Emere Joseph Ngeto said the community had run the school for about three years with the support of 20 helping teachers, who are paid by the community.
He explained that Agbonchia previously had no secondary school until the community sought support from Shell following an oil spill.
According to him, a 12-classroom block was eventually provided by Renaissance, allowing the community to commence classes from Junior Secondary School One to Three.
The monarch appealed to the state government to consider granting permanent teaching appointments to the 20 helping teachers.
He expressed optimism that the government’s intervention would strengthen the school and expand educational opportunities for children in Agbonchia.
