The Akwa Ibom State government on Sunday launched a probe into the nutrition and living conditions of students at Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep, following the circulation of a viral video that exposed poor conditions in the school.
The footage depicted students consuming meals in an unsanitary dining area.
In response, the state commissioner for education, Idongesit Etiebet, announced in a statement that she has directed a comprehensive investigation into the state of boarding facilities in the school and the other 25 boarding secondary schools across the state.
Etiebet said the government has suspended Dr. Nse Sunday Umoh, the school principal, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Etiebet also noted that the “review, which will focus on hostels, dining halls, recreation areas, menus, kitchens, and sanitary facilities.”
According to her, the investigation is being jointly overseen by permanent secretaries from the Ministry of Education and the State Secondary Education Board.
The commissioner added that the state’s free education policy covers tuition fees only and not boarding fees.
She, however, appeals to parents to undertake basic parental responsibilities to support their children in secondary schools, noting that “they have already been greatly relieved of the burden of tuition fees.”
“The ministry is committed to ensuring that all public school facilities meet irreducible minimum standards that uphold the well-being of both learners and staff.”
