Stories by Stanley Onyekwere
The poor state of Local Education Authority (LEA) primary schools in Abuja rural communities yesterday literally reduced the Secretary of FCT Education Secretariat, Sen. Isa Maina to weeping profusely.
Senator Maina expressed this deep sadness while on a tour of LEA schools in Zuba and Tungan Ladan communities in Gwagwalada Area Council in the wake of some unsavory news items concerning children in some schools in the FCT.
At some of the schools visited, pupils were seen learning in classrooms, which roofs were blown off and the ceilings either removed or hanging dangerously with the sky clearly visible.
Also, some pupils were observed sitting on bare floor in overcrowded classrooms while some received lessons under the shade of a tree within the premises of LEA primary school in Zuba.
Maina, who described the situation as unacceptable, because the places visited were not a learning environment for children in any society.
His words:“I am very saddened, I can’t imagine what I am seeing, this is not a learning environment; these are supposed to be our children.
“My heart bleeds for what I see, it is totally unacceptable, this rot has taken place over the years, on my honour changes will take place here this year.
“I have directed the chairman, FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) to take a comprehensive audit of schools to enable us take up these challenges this 2018.”
Meanwhile, Head Teacher, Mohammed Salihu disclosed that, apart from the squatter school in their premises, the LEA school alone has 4,632 pupils,
He noted that in spite of lack of space, they are still coping with the ever increasing number of pupils.
It was observed that the LEA in Tunga Ladan, which is the only school which was established in 2005 by ETF has become inadequate as two classes were shared same space.
It was gathered that two teachers teach primary two pupils facing left side, those of primary one face right side of same classroom.
According to the Head Teacher in Tungan Ladan, Ikoedem Eyo, whenever it rained they sent the children home as they could not learn in the rains.
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