The state of learning at the LEA Primary School, Dupka, located in Ibwa Ward of Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has been described as a sharp contradiction to official claims that public schools in the territory have been renovated and furnished.
In a report by MonITng – a civic technology platform that provides citizens with information to track the progress of public projects – conditions at the school expose “a painful contradiction to official claims that schools in the Federal Capital Territory have been renovated and furnished.”
According to the report, while authorities “celebrate progress on paper,” pupils at LEA Primary School, Dupka, are “struggling daily in conditions that strip them of dignity and the right to quality education.”
MonITng alleged that pupils are compelled to learn in extremely poor conditions, stating that “children are forced to sit on bare floors in overcrowded classrooms, with no desks or chairs to support learning.”
It further noted that “many classrooms are poorly ventilated, making learning uncomfortable and unsafe, especially during hot weather.”
The organisation also highlighted a shortage of basic instructional materials, claiming that “teaching and learning materials are grossly inadequate, leaving pupils to share limited resources or learn without them entirely.”
The statement said the overcrowded nature of the classrooms has negatively affected teaching and learning, explaining that “the overcrowding makes it difficult for teachers to give attention to pupils, affecting comprehension, participation, and overall learning outcomes.”
MonITng linked the situation to the management of public education funds, noting that the reality persists “despite the billions of naira released by UBEC for basic education across Nigeria.”
It alleged that in Gwagwalada Area Council, “those funds are not translating into improved classrooms, furniture, or learning tools.”
Instead, the group claimed that “area council chairmen are seen donating vehicles to party loyalists while community schools remain neglected.”
The statement criticised the response of authorities, describing the situation as unacceptable.
It said “the failure of the FCT Minister and the Area Council leadership to address these conditions is unacceptable,” adding that “education cannot thrive where children learn on bare floors, in congested spaces, without basic facilities.”
MonITng stressed that the situation at LEA Primary School, Dupka, reflects a wider gap between official pronouncements and realities in public schools across the FCT.
Calling for urgent action, the statement maintained that “the pupils of LEA Primary School, Dupka, deserve better,” insisting that “quality education must go beyond press statements and reflect in the lives of children in our communities.”
The appeal was directed at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe.
Source: Sahara Reporters
