Abuja Community Cries Over Dilapidated Classes As Schools Resume

Alhaji Garba Aguma Sarki, the traditional ruler of Leleyen Bassa of Kwali Council Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has expressed concern over the dilapidated conditions of primary school buildings in his community as schools resumed.

Schools in FCT reopened on Monday, October 12, 2020, after seven months following their closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Garba told HumAngle that the school had been facing the threat of land grabbers due to the absence of a fence and that some of the classrooms had been turned to public toilets.

“Someone tried to trespass on the school premises. He said it was part of his land. We fought him back before a demarcation line was drawn,” Garba said.

According to the traditional ruler, apart from insufficient teachers for pupils, the school lacks basic teaching facilities.

He complained that the children uncomfortably sat on bare floor to learn.

“We have been complaining about the condition of the classes but nothing has been done so far,” he said.

The traditional ruler said the lack of basic infrastructure and teaching aids in the school hindered many children from furthering their education because they could not pass necessary exams.

Garba said the community decided to raise a hut for the children but it would not serve the needs of the children in the school.

He called on the government to renovate the school and provide teaching aids and infrastructure so the children would learn in better conditions.