1,500 Pupils Stranded as Abuja School Faces Imminent Collapse

Published

2 months ago

December 1, 2024

ADMIN

By Emmanuel Ogbodo

Junior Secondary School Gurfata, located in Ibwa Ward, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, is facing a dire crisis as over 1,500 pupils are left stranded due to the school’s deteriorating infrastructure.

The civic technology group, MonITNg, raised concerns about the alarming state of the school on Saturday via its X handle.

The group highlighted structural failures, including leaking roofs and collapsing ceilings, and called for urgent government intervention.

“Here’s the current state of Junior Secondary School Gurfata, the only school in town, now on the brink of collapse.

“Poor living conditions have driven teachers away, leaving over 1,500 students without access to education.

“We urge @GovWike and Sen @IretiKingibe to take immediate action,” the group wrote.

MonITNg’s founder, Ilevbaoje Uadamen, condemned the neglect, urging government officials to prioritize education over less critical expenditures.

“Education is the foundation of any thriving society. Our government must invest in education, ensuring resources are channeled where they matter most,” Uadamen stated.

Junior Secondary School Gurfata, reportedly the only educational institution in the area, is emblematic of broader infrastructural challenges faced by schools across the Gwagwalada Area Council.

The lack of maintenance has forced teachers to abandon their roles, leaving students without adequate learning opportunities.

The Gwagwalada Area Council, established to drive rural development, is now facing criticism for failing to fulfill this mandate.

Advocacy groups are urging the Federal Capital Territory Secondary Education Board to act swiftly to rehabilitate the school and ensure continued access to education for the affected pupils.

This urgent call for intervention emphasizes the critical need for a sustainable plan to address the decay in educational infrastructure across rural Abuja communities.

Nigerian Teacher Shortlisted Among Top 50 Finalists for $1m Global Prize

Published

5 days ago

January 21, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ade Iyamoye
A Mathematics and Information Technology teacher from Ogun State, Kayode Adewale, has been shortlisted among the top 50 finalists for the prestigious $1 million Global Teacher Prize.
Adewale, who teaches at Imaka/Imagbon Comprehensive High School, Ijebu, Ogun State, attributed this achievement to years of dedication to innovative teaching practices and educational excellence.
Adewale, a pioneer of the Space Exploration Club in Ogun State secondary schools, has consistently demonstrated a passion for transforming education.
Through partnerships with organizations such as the Limitless Space Institute in Texas, USA, he has inspired both students and teachers across the state.
Despite financial challenges that once stalled his PhD program, Adewale persevered, earning recognition for his teaching innovations.
He emerged as Ogun State’s Best Senior Secondary School Teacher in 2020, received the Maltina Best Teacher of the Year award in 2022, and participated in the 2023 Fulbright Teaching Excellence Programme in the US.
Adewale credits his success to a culturally relevant teaching approach, integrating local dialects and relatable concepts to demystify Mathematics for his students.
He also utilizes technology, including online platforms, to reach underserved communities.
The $1 million prize, he revealed, will be invested in capacity-building initiatives for teachers, innovation hubs, and the development of technology-assisted instructional solutions to benefit students across Africa.
“Teachers’ rewards are not just in heaven. With dedication, the sky is the starting point,” he said.

Education

Bauchi Governor gifts Top JAMB Achievers ₦4 Million Reward

Published

1 week ago

January 15, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Alexis Uchendu

In a remarkable gesture, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has awarded ₦4 million to four exceptional students for their outstanding performance in the 2024 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), examination.

The awardees—Kawthar Shehu (348), Geoffrey Yakubu (347), Abdullahi Garba (347), and Magaji Umar (333)—were each presented with ₦1 million during a ceremony on Tuesday at the Ministry of Education in Bauchi.

Represented by the Head of Service, Yahuza Adamu, Governor Mohammed described the reward as a commitment to nurturing human capital and inspiring academic excellence among Bauchi’s youth.

“This initiative underscores our dedication to developing human capital and promoting academic achievement,” he stated.

Ali Babayo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, revealed that the reward program was introduced as part of a broader strategy to motivate students across the state to aim higher.

The awardees, grateful and inspired, vowed to continue their pursuit of excellence.

Education

National Assembly Threatens to Halt JAMB’s Grant

Published

2 weeks ago

January 13, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Gabriella Ogbu

The National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance has questioned the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB), 2025 budget proposal, warning that the agency’s federal grant may be revoked.

During a budget defense session, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, revealed that the agency remitted N4 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund while receiving N6 billion in government grants.

Lawmakers, including Abiodun Faleke and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, criticized the allocation, arguing that JAMB, a self-funded agency, should not rely on public funds.

Oshiomhole further questioned JAMB’s N1.1 billion expenditure on meals and refreshments, N850 million on security and fumigation, and N600 million on local travel, demanding accountability for the agency’s spending.

The committee’s scrutiny underscores growing concerns over financial transparency in government agencies.