…urges support for Nigeria’s neglected public schools
The Nigerian Academy of Education, NAE, has donated 56 classroom desks to LEA Primary School, Nyanya Phase 1, Abuja, under its Adopt-a-School initiative to enhance the learning condition of the school.
Speaking at a brief presentation ceremony to the school in Nyanya, a member of the Academy and seasoned educationist, Prof Rosemary Udeozor, called for public support for Nigeria’s underserved public schools.
Udeozor decried the dire conditions pupils are subjected to, many of whom, she revealed, sit on bare floors during lessons due to lack of school furniture.
Udeozor, who noted that meaningful learning cannot take place in such environment, called on government officials, development partners, and well-meaning Nigerians to rise to the occasion and ease the suffering of pupils and teachers in basic schools.
“This school was selected under the Academy’s Adopt-a-School initiative, a flagship project aimed at supporting under-resourced schools to achieve quality and effective teaching and learning.
“When we visited the school, we were shocked to discover that the pupils were learning in appalling conditions, no desks, no chairs, no conducive environment. As professionals, we know meaningful learning cannot happen like this,” she said.
She described the NAE as the umbrella body of all professional education associations in Nigeria, a body deeply committed to strengthening the foundation of education in the country.
According to her, the desk donation is only a small step in the right direction, and much more remains to be done.
“The school is densely populated, the needs are enormous, and we are calling on government officials, development partners, and well-meaning Nigerians to rise to the occasion. Let this donation stir others into action,” she noted.
Udeozor also lamented the poor access road leading to the school, saying the muddy, rocky path posed a safety risk, especially during rainy seasons.
“I had difficulty driving into the school compound. How these children manage to get here daily is baffling; yet they come, they learn, and they hope,” she added.
Also speaking, a member of the Academy, Prof Kate Oreh, who also expressed concern about the state of public education, urged individuals and private organizations to support public schools by identifying their needs and stepping in to provide help.
Oreh said many schools lack basic facilities like libraries, books, desks, and ongoing teacher training.
“Why should we ignore government schools? The children are ours. The nation belongs to all of us,” she said, calling for philanthropists to set up libraries and sponsor in-service training for teachers.
She emphasized that government cannot do everything, and private citizens, regardless of means, should contribute what they can.
“When you act, others will follow,” she noted.
Responding on behalf of the Local Education Authority, LEA, in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Mr. Dangiwa Mairiga, who oversees School Services, praised the gesture and called for more partnerships to bridge infrastructural and resource gaps across AMAC’s 175 public primary schools.
“We need genuine partners like the Nigerian Academy of Education. The government cannot do it alone. We appreciate this donation and urge the school to ensure the furniture is well-maintained so that the children benefit from them long-term,” Mairiga said.
On her part, the Head Teacher of the school, Mrs. Yepwi Maria Yohanna, who was visibly moved by the intervention, thanked the NAE for the gesture and urged more interventions by well-meaning Nigerians and organisation.
“Having children learning on the floor hampers their ability to concentrate and write effectively. This donation will make a world of difference. With these desks, our pupils will be able to sit comfortably, learn better, and restore their dignity,” she said.
Yohanna noted that with 35 to 40 pupils per classroom, each ideally requires at least 20 desks.
“We plan to spread the donated desks across classes so that every pupil can benefit in some way,” she added.
Yohanna further disclosed that the school was running an extended term to compensate for time lost earlier in the academic year, with plans to continue until the end of August.
