Mr. Usman, Parent-Teacher Association chairman of the school, told SaharaReporters that the association has complained to the FCT authorities several times but nothing came out of it.
In a government-owned school cluster in an Abuja community, pupils from Primary 2 to 6 are crammed into a single classroom, highlighting the dire need for improved educational infrastructure.
"I am not in school because I went to farm. It's not that I prefer farming to schooling, but I stopped going to school because our school buildings are dilapidated," 10-year-old Shaibu told SaharaReporters during a visit to Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School in Pagada 1 community in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
SaharaReporters noticed that many of the pupils in the community also shun school. Some were seen going to farms, while some others were seen playing around the village, where over 10,000 people reside.
Mr. Usman, Parent-Teacher Association chairman of the school, told SaharaReporters that the association has complained to the FCT authorities several times but nothing came out of it. He appealed to the authorities of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) to come to the aid of the school.
“Many parents have stopped their children from going to the school because the buildings are in a bad shape. The children are now going to the farm instead, which is not really good for the future of the country. I’m appealing to the authorities of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) to come to the aid of the school,” the PTA chairman stated.
The assistant headmaster of the school lamented that they have 24 teachers who resume under the tree daily in the school, sometimes with no pupils available to teach.
The assistant headmaster said, “I am the assistant headmaster of LEA primary school, Pagada 1. You can see that the school environment is very bad because the roofs have been blown off by wind. Because of that, we merged the children into one classroom that is manageable for now; that is where Primary 2,3,4,5 and 6 pupils take their classes together.
“We have over 100 children but due to the environment, the parents decided to withdraw their children to a nearby community school where they can learn. And we have been managing like that now, as you can see.
“Some of our pupils are not here. They are in the village because of the state of the school. Even as a father, if you know what you are doing, you won't like to bring your child here.
“We have about 24 staff members with good degrees. We are very good and our staff members are punctual.
“We are seeking the attention of the government. They should come to our aid so that learning will take place at LEA.”
Deplorable Learning Conditions Persist In FCT Schools Despite Public Outcry
If the FCTA continues to neglect public schools, many children from low-income families in rural areas will be denied access to quality education, ultimately hindering the nation's development.
A recent visit to several schools in the FCT revealed glaring gaps in the FCTA's basic education subsector. Some of the issues observed include lack of perimeter fencing, compromising school security, damaged roofs, rendering classrooms unusable, dilapidated buildings with crumbling walls and insufficient furniture, forcing students to sit on the floor during lessons.
These deplorable conditions were particularly evident at LEA Dei-Dei, a school located in the Bwari Council Area of the FCT.
Over 800 Pupils Studying On Bare Floor In Dei-Dei
Despite being situated in the thriving commercial hub of Dei-Dei, the LEA Primary and Junior Secondary Schools have fallen into disrepair. The once-thriving school, which serves eight neighboring communities, has been ravaged by scavengers and neglect.
The classrooms are now in a state of utter disrepair, with crumbling infrastructure and a severe lack of basic amenities. Students are forced to sit on the floor to learn, as there are no desks or chairs available. This deplorable state of affairs is a stark contrast to the bustling commercial activity that surrounds the school.
A staff member at the school, who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, revealed that the school has been plagued by security concerns due to the lack of a perimeter fence. Furthermore, the staffer lamented that some of the classrooms have been overrun and are now being used as public toilets.
“As you can see, the school has been facing security threat due to the absence of a fence and some of the classrooms has been turned to public toilets,” the staff member said.
SaharaReporters has learned that the school has become a haven for criminal activities. Locals claim that anyone passing through the area at dawn is likely to be harassed and robbed, highlighting the school's transformation into a hotbed of illicit activity.
“LEA school is now a criminal hideout. Anybody that passes through the area when it is dawn, is in trouble. The criminals will audaciously stop you and request your belongings. If you refuse to give them or surrender yourself, such a person will be stabbed with a dagger or any other dangerous weapon.
“The fence of the school and the doors of the classrooms of the school have been broken by these criminals, hence, they sleep in the school during late hours after they must have finished perpetrating their evil,” a community source said.
Four Teachers To 100 Pupils At Ledi II
During a visit to LEA in Ledi ll, Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, SaharaReporters witnessed firsthand the deplorable state of the school. Broken-down classrooms, leaking roofs, and a severe shortage of furniture have made the learning environment utterly inhospitable.
“The state of basic education in this community is in comatose, it’s in a terrible state,” one of the teachers said.
“We lack the conducive environment needed for effective teaching and learning.
“There are no learning facilities, no tables and no chairs even in the classrooms and staff offices. The worst part of the situation is that some of the classroom blocks have been blown off by wind.
"The moment it starts raining, the children would leave the classrooms due to leaking roofs. We tell them to go home until the rain stops.
“The instructional materials are insufficient. Teachers are few. The structure is dilapidated. The entire structure needs total renovation.”
Community Chief Laments, Calls On Government For Help
In an interview with SaharaReporters, the village head expressed deep concern over the alarming state of the school, describing it as a pressing worry for the school administration, parents, and the entire community.
“After a break, some of the children don’t return to their classes. They sneak out of the school through the bush. We have written so many letters to the authorities without any result.
"We are again calling on the relevant authorities to come our aid," the chief spoke through his secretary.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had promised to turn things around by rehabilitating schools across the six area councils. However, despite being in office for over a year, there's little evidence of progress on the ground.
Kennedy Mbele, special adviser to Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, revealed to SaharaReporters that the challenges plaguing the schools in the area have not been brought to their attention.
"It has not been brought to our attention. We are presently compiling a list of projects that are going to be included in the budget. We will follow up," he added.