A primary school teacher, serving within Abia North district has narrated how she almost resigned due to the dilapidated state of the school where she was transferred to, two years ago. According to the teacher, her transfer letter came with so much griff.
The teacher who pleaded anonymity, told newsmen, how she was disgusted on her first resumption day at work. In her words, she regretted teaching work due to the nonchalant attitude of the government towards the educational sector, which is affecting both the teachers and students alike. Expressing her regrets, she said,
“I have been teaching for 21 years now and in these years of my service, teachers have not fared well in the hands of government. Teachers are not taken care of by the government. They would always say ‘Our rewards are in heaven’! What reward?.
“When I was transferred here, I thought it would be better than where I was managing before. The shock I received started with the bad roads I’ll have to ply to work on daily bases. To make matter worse, it was the raining seasons. After my struggles to the school premises, the sight of my newly transferred school got me so irritated as to determine my stay in the school, as a civil servant.
“When I was introduced to my classroom, I wondered how on earth could my pupils study in such an environment. All the desks were shifted to one direction, with my pupils clustered due to the leaking roofs at rain fall. It was even likely the roof framework could fall on us some day. I got more upset when the headmistress told me to manage as they awaited the government to do renovations in the school.
“At this point, what came to my mind was to work my transfer out of the school, as waiting on a government that cared little on education was giving myself, false hopes. To my greatest surprise, I was turned down by the board. I was told to go back that there was already an intervention on the way.
“My next plans was to put up my resignation, I had no convictions on the government. My husband beaconed on me to be patient, following the years I’ve spent so far in teaching job, for it not to be in vein.
“I was returning from school one hot afternoon when I saw some contractors measuring roads in the community. Though it was dry season, I took it to be one of those shenanigans posed by the government. So many roads we knew had been measured by contractors but still remained abandoned, it is almost the same thing everywhere so I really didn’t put my mind on if the road would be constructed or not.
“To cut short my experience, I must today, thank my husband for pressuring me not to resign. It happened simultaneously, the headmistress was right when she said the government is working on a renovation intervention. Before we went on holidays, the contractor in charge of the renovation had started work. This, some how gave me relief that on resumption, I’ll be having a renovated classroom.
“To crown it all, the road that was measured, work had also started. It was as if the government heard my cry and to my greatest surprise, the renovation and road construction are coming from a Senator, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, the chief whip of the Senate.
“Today, the renovation and road construction is long completed by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. I now have a modern furnished classroom and good road leading to work. For me, I pray to serve and retire in this school and in Abia North.
“Orji Kalu is God sent. He is a man of strong character. Where ever Orji Kalu is, he does something to be remembered by the people. I remember when he was governor, as a young teacher then, I enjoyed teaching work. I received my salary before the month ended.
“It takes a lover of education to do what Orji Uzor has done so far in Arochukwu in his District. Our school today, wears a new look with the classrooms having new reading desk and also having borehole water to drink and for other conveniences.
“Orji Uzor Kalu is a respecter of human sanctity and a lover of education. I know, if it were possible, he would have given free education to all the students in this district, like he did while he was governor for eight (8) years.
“I heard he did roads in other areas of Abia North and also renovated schools. With what he’ve done here, we have no doubt what he did in other areas. What kind of a man is Orji Kalu? We teachers and students in Abia North, will continue to pray to God to protect Orji Kalu, though his work speaks volume enough for him, I’ll canvas for his re-election in the 2023 election for he deserve to return to the Senate as we expect more from his leadership”. She said.
