The Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Comrade Friday Ovoke Warri, has expressed concern over the high rate of absenteeism among teaching and non-teaching staff in primary schools across the area.

The chairman made this known on Tuesday during an unscheduled visit to Ozah Primary School, Oleh, and Urie Primary School, Emede, where he was accompanied by council officials. He also condemned the destruction, stealing, and vandalisation of government-owned properties in schools within the LGA.

Warri noted that urgent action would be taken in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Education to address the situation, particularly with teachers’ attitudes to work and issues of lopsided teacher postings.

“For instance, Ozah Primary School has about 200 learners and over 48 teaching staff, while Umeh and Ikpide-Irri Primary Schools, with over 170 and 200 learners respectively, have only one teacher each,” Warri said. “The council will no longer fold its arms while rural schools remain understaffed.”

He further stated that where teachers had been wrongly transferred, efforts would be made to reverse such transfers to balance staffing levels in both urban and rural schools.

On the issue of vandalism, Warri strongly criticised community leaders for not doing enough to protect school property, pointing out specific instances of stolen items such as water tanks and windows from Ozah and Urie Primary Schools.

“This issue of stealing primary school properties is giving me sleepless nights. Communities must take responsibility to protect these facilities. Going forward, security agents will be involved to arrest anyone found destroying or stealing school property,” he added.

The Chairman called on community and youth leaders to work closely with the local government in safeguarding educational infrastructure in their areas.