Residents of Sankwab Runji community in Zango Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State have decried constant collapse of primary School classes which adversely affects academic activities in the community.
The school’s classrooms, with broken walls and crumbling infrastructure, have become a symbol of neglect but also of determination.
The LGEA Primary School which serves about 200 pupils from the village and nearby areas, has been functioning in a precarious state for years.
Two blocks of classrooms have partially collapsed walls, exposing the students to extreme weather conditions whereby during rainy seasons, water seeps through the broken walls flooding the classrooms, while in dry seasons cold winds whip through the exposed spaces, making learning a big challenge.
Lamenting to our reporter, the Chairman, Parents Teachers Association of the school Mr. Bitrus Magaji said the school has only 4 Teachers who have been making extraordinary efforts to ensure learning continues.
Mr. Bitrus Magaji continued by stating that every year community members make voluntary financial contributions and community service towards fixing the school but each year comes with it’s challenges
The school has been using tree shades to carry out some class lessons However, these temporary fixes are far from being adequate, whereby some parents had to transfer their wards to nearby public or private schools.
Youth Leader of the community Mr. Livinus Achi and Mr. Joseph Bitrus who is a parent, expressed frustration over the development and called on the State Government and Local Government Chairman Engineer Bege Joseph to come to their assistance.
“We have being engaging ourselves in community service where we tasks each family some token for repair work at the school after which we contract builders to come and fix the collapsed structures but after some months, another side will collapse and the situation becomes worst that is why we are calling on our Governor, Senator Uba Sani and the Local Government Chairman Engineer Bege Joseph to come to our assistance”
According to the youth leader, the school was established in 1992 when government build a 2 classroom block and the principal’s office but all other classes where built through community efforts.
The parents believe that with government intervention, resilience of the students and the dedication of their teachers will inspire change and enable the children achieve their future dreams.
“The plight of LGEA Primary School Sankwab Runji serves as a stark reminder of the disparities in access to quality education in rural areas. It also highlights the strength of communities that refuse to let adversity stand in the way of their children’s futures”
Dan Zaki Media 