Alumni bemoan state of Eric Moore school in Lagos

The alumni of Eric Moore High School, Surulere Lagos, under the aegis of the Old Students Association (OSA) have decried the poor state of the community secondary school, describing it as an “eyesore”. At a re-union organised in the school premises, the members lamented the various challenges inhibiting effective learning for the staff and students. […]

The alumni of Eric Moore High School, Surulere Lagos, under the aegis of the Old Students Association (OSA) have decried the poor state of the community secondary school, describing it as an “eyesore”.

At a re-union organised in the school premises, the members lamented the various challenges inhibiting effective learning for the staff and students.

Nollywood actor and member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, who represents the area described the state of the school as shocking. He said he had previously been told of the challenges confronting the 38-year-old school but did not know the extent until he visited it.

He said, “Many times, people have accused me of not showing interest in the plight of this school but that is not so. I am shocked to see the level of dilapidation of the structures.”

The alumni president, Femi Olorunnisola, said there was need for urgent intervention because many of the students and staff of the school have had to learn under “difficult circumstances”.

“We are unhappy with the state of the school. Some of the old buildings we used have fallen. The existing ones are not in any way better. As an association, two years ago, we were the ones who were paying the teachers for eight months,” Olorunnisola said.

The vice president, Akinbola Ogunlola, said the terrible state of the school had spurred members of the association to meet state government officials who later came to demolish some of the dilapidated structures. 

He said after the demolition, the students were relocated to a nearby government college while no activity on rebuilding has so far taken place.

“We therefore welcome government decision to return them to their own exact school compound. However, we want government intervention to be faster in coming. We want government to work with us and safeguard the school’s future,” Ogunlola said.