For the first time in more than 70 years, children of Itega Ekpudu community in Okpoma, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, no longer have to trek several kilometres to neighbouring towns to attend secondary school.
The community, through the joint efforts of its chiefs, elders, women, youths, and indigenes in the cities, has established its first secondary school.
Spokesman of the community, Dr Raphael Oko, said the school began classes on Monday, September 15, 2025, with 144 students already enrolled.
He explained that the school currently operates from unused structures within the community’s primary school, which have been converted to accommodate Junior Secondary School 1 to 3.
“For more than 70 years, our children walked long distances every day to attend schools in other communities,” Oko said.
“This was a huge burden for parents and the entire community. Early this year, we resolved to put an end to this ugly history by establishing our own secondary school.”
According to him, the feat marks “a significant history in the making,” as it provides the younger generation access to education within their own community for the first time.
Volunteer teachers, mostly from the community, are currently handling classes, Oko disclosed.
He stated that the school has been duly registered with the Cross River State Ministry of Education and schools proprietors association.
He, however, appealed for support from the government, groups, and kindhearted individuals to provide furniture, laboratories, teachers’ salaries, and other essential facilities to strengthen the new school.
