A tragic incident occurred on Thursday at the Government Girls Science and Technical College in Potiskum, Yobe State, when a section of a classroom block collapsed, leading to the death of a student and injuries to several others. The affected students were reportedly in the corridor of the classroom when the structure gave way, causing the roof to crash down on them.
Emergency responders and school officials swiftly mobilized rescue efforts, working together to extricate trapped students. The injured were promptly rushed to a specialist hospital for urgent medical attention. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and distress as students and teachers scrambled for safety amid the collapse.
Officials from the Yobe State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, including Commissioner Prof. Abba Adam and the Executive Secretary of the State Science and Technical Education Board, Dauda Atiyaye, visited the site to assess the extent of the damage. They also met with hospitalized students to check on their conditions and provide support.
Authorities have launched an official investigation to determine the exact cause of the structural failure. While the findings are pending, concerns about the integrity of school infrastructure in the region have been heightened. This tragic event has prompted urgent calls for comprehensive safety assessments and renovations to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Established in 1979, the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Potiskum, is a prominent boarding institution dedicated to providing quality education for girls in Yobe State. The recent collapse underscores the need for stringent safety standards in school buildings to protect students and staff from preventable disasters.