… Urges governments to prioritise education
By Ngozi Nwankwo
The founder, Obedient Movement and the convener of “Develop Abuja for all Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, has lamented the dilapidated states of some primary schools in FCT, calling on the government to prioritise education in Nigeria.
Yesufu made the call during an intervention visit to Local Education Authority,LEA, Primary School Kpebi Sarki, FCT, Abuja Wednesday.
During her visit , Yesufu who was taken around the school’s facilities, expressed disappointment over the low investment in education by the Nigerian government, blaming poor funding to the deplorable state of schools in Nigeria, especially those in the rural communities.
In her intervention campaign themed: ‘Develop Abuja for all’ was a way of “Connecting Grassroots to the Government ensuring equitable access to education for Nigeria children.
Insisting that right for quality education should no longer be prerogative to only the children of the rich, the convener urged the governments , stakeholders , politicians and well meaning Nigerians to take responsibility, and improve learning of students in the rural communities by investing in education.
During the intervention visit, to LEA Primary school Kpebi Sarki, Aisha Yesuf uncovered pitiable conditions of the school characterized by dilapidated infrastructure, a severe shortage of qualified teachers and learning materials, inadequate funding, unsafe environment, unusable hygienic facilities such as toilets and clean water.
These challenges, according to her, create an environment unconducive to effective teaching and learning.
“Because we have a situation where there is no equitable development. You find out that one side of Abuja is amazing, it looks as if you can compare it with other cities around the world. And then, you go to another side of Abuja you feel disappointed and that is why I’m so concerned about that.
On the shortage of teachers at the LEA primary school, Yesufu described high teacher- students ratio, as heartbreaking, that discourages learning.
” Right now, we are in this particular school, and for me, it is quite heartbreaking having to see the things that are happening here. We have amazing teachers who are doing so well, just had conversations with them, went through the classes, seen the work that they’re doing but they don’t have the necessary infrastructure, the necessary equipments, and everything for them to be able to work better for our children.
“For me, one very heartbreaking thing is the same way children are being combined, of two different classes, are being combined in the same classroom.
So you have primary, for example, primary three and four in the same classroom, primary one, and two in the same classroom, one teacher only having to teach all of them. That is not something that we should have in our country, especially Abuja that is supposed to be the lead. This is the federal capital territory. It should be leading by example. Abuja is beyond just a circle in the same way,” she said.
While pledging her foundation’s support in remodeling the school, Yesuf urged well-meaning Nigerians, government at all levels to help fix Nigerian education again by ensuring equitable development.
Speaking also, the Head Teacher, LEA Primary School, Kpebi Sarki, FCT, Mr. Dada Sabo Samson expressed optimism that the visit would bring a positive change in the school.
Samson identified the school’s one of the major challenges to insecurity, urging government to install perimeter fence to ensure safety of the pupils.
” One of the major challenges here is that our teachers and pupils are unsafe here because no perimeter fence. Sometimes, herders graze that cattle here. In fact, one of them had threatened me when I tried to stop him from grazing in the school environment. Pls we will need your support and government support,” he said.
Other issue of concern, according to the Head Teacher, is the shortage of teachers, appealing to the government to recruit qualified teachers and permanent the volunteers ( PTA) teachers in the school.
” We have very few teachers. We have only three teachers and three Volunteer ( PTA) teachers taking the whole class. As you can see, we merge classes so we can manage the teachers we have for over 200 pupils . We need more teachers here. In fact, there has not been general employment of teachers since 2014 and this shortage of teachers is affecting children’s learning,” he said.
Samson, therefore, appreciated Aisha Yesuf the esteemed representatives of the Obedient Movement for their unwavering commitment to the development of Nigerian society, understanding that the most fundamental and lasting change always begins with education.
“You have not come as spectators, but as partners. You have come with a mission to uplift grassroots schools, not just in the FCT, but across Nigeria. This mission resonates deeply with us, for it speaks directly to our daily struggle and our deepest aspirations.
Your presence here today signals a turning point. It tells our pupils that their dreams are valid. It tells our teachers that their dedication is seen and valued. It tells this community that they have not been forgotten.
“Thank you for choosing to write a new chapter with us.
We welcome you not as guests, but as partners in progress. We are ready to work with you. We are confident that together, we can build a better, brighter environment where our children can learn, grow, and thrive,” he said.
Also, the Head of the Kpobi Community, His Royal Highness, Chief David Audu appreciated Aisha Yesuf her team of the Obedient Movement for visiting his community, and pledged support and collaboration with the foundation.
