The school, designed for nursery and primary levels, is just a few meters from a dumpsite, where the stench of rotting waste permeates the air. Pupils endure makeshift sheds constructed with wood and zinc, facing the elements that determine the duration of their lessons. Rain disrupts classes, forcing teachers to call it a day.
Despite the federal government’s approval of over N614 million between 2020 and 2023 for school infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), LEA Primary School lacks desks, chairs, and basic amenities. The school’s location near a dumpsite raises concerns about health hazards, with rodents, lizards, and scorpions freely roaming the environment.
The school, accommodating over 380 pupils, has no dedicated classrooms or toilet facilities. The few available desks and chairs lead to students jostling for seating space, while some use a mat on the floor. Teachers also suffer from a lack of furniture, relying on books for writing surfaces and shouting to be heard.
The head teacher, Alfred Katungu, mentioned efforts to seek assistance from LEA authorities and the education department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration but received no response. Katungu remains hopeful for improvement, citing recent promises during an LEA visit.
Despite Nigeria’s commitment to education as a fundamental human right, the deplorable conditions of LEA Primary School underscore significant challenges in the nation’s education system. The lack of proper infrastructure hinders enrollment, attendance, and overall learning achievements, mirroring a broader issue of insufficient schools in the country. Calls for increased investment in education infrastructure persist to address the staggering number of out-of-school children and uplift the quality of education in Nigeria.
