The Akwa Ibom State Government has condemned the vandalism of a classroom block at a primary school in Ikot Mbonde, Itu Local Government Area, describing the act as a direct attack on public investment in education and calling for urgent community vigilance to safeguard school infrastructure.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, who spoke during an on-the-spot assessment of the affected school, said the government views the incident as deliberate sabotage capable of undermining ongoing reforms in the education sector.

Umoh, accompanied by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rt. Hon. (Dr) Anietie Etuk, visited the school following a viral video showing damaged ceilings and broken desks within the facility.

According to the Commissioner, preliminary findings revealed that the destruction was not accidental but carried out by individuals within the community.

“Our findings clearly indicate that this is a case of vandalism by unscrupulous elements. School property meant for the benefit of our children has been deliberately destroyed,” Umoh said.

He further disclosed that desks and wooden windows were broken and in some cases converted to firewood, while metal doors and burglary proofs were removed and allegedly sold to scrap dealers.

The Commissioner added that some of the damage to ceiling boards resulted from the misuse of classrooms as recreational spaces, particularly football fields, after school hours.

Umoh described the development as troubling, noting that similar incidents of vandalism have been recorded in other public primary schools across the state, with Government Primary School, Aka 1 in Obio Imo also affected.

“This trend is unacceptable. We cannot continue to invest heavily in infrastructure only for such investments to be destroyed by the same communities meant to benefit from them,” he said.

He stressed the need for stronger community participation in protecting public assets, urging residents, parents and local leaders to take ownership of schools within their areas.

“Education is a collective responsibility. Protecting our schools is protecting our future,” the Commissioner stated.

Reaffirming government’s commitment to improving learning conditions, Umoh disclosed that 275 school blocks were rehabilitated across the state in the past year.

He added that over 1,000 schools have already been earmarked for comprehensive rehabilitation in the current fiscal year as part of efforts to upgrade education infrastructure.

The Commissioner also highlighted ongoing projects including the construction of model primary schools across the 31 local government areas, as well as special intervention projects under the Free and Compulsory Education Programme, all aimed at ensuring access to quality and conducive learning environments.