Educationists Call For More Investment In Nasarawa Primary Schools
The Nasarawa State Government has been commended for prioritising education as part of efforts to revitalise and standardise the sector.
However, some educationists in the southern part of the state have urged the government to take more decisive steps towards revamping primary education by improving infrastructure and providing other facilities needed to enhance effective teaching and learning.
In an interview, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at the Federal University of Lafia, Dr. John Dogara Ogoshi, said governments at all levels need to do more to prevent primary education from sliding into crisis.
Dr. Ogoshi said primary education deserves adequate attention because it provides the foundation upon which subsequent levels of education are built. He noted that the situation is particularly worrisome in rural communities, where many primary schools are confronted with dilapidated structures and inadequate facilities.
“The primary schools in the rural areas are most affected because of their dilapidated nature.”
Former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Professor Emmanuel Kucha, commended the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board for its sustained efforts in renovating primary schools across the state, but stressed the need for quality execution and proper supervision of renovation projects.
“Some projects executed in primary schools deteriorate shortly after completion, particularly roofing works, due to poor construction and inadequate supervision.”
Also speaking, the Administrator of Ekye Area Administrative Council, Prince Abubakar Jibrin Engya, and the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Doma Local Government Chapter, Comrade Zubairu Ibrahim Ekpa, stressed that continued investment in infrastructure, teachers and other educational resources remains critical to accelerating the development of basic education in Nasarawa State.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Nasarawa State Proprietors of Private Schools, Ogah Omaku Ogiri, called on private school operators across the state to align their activities with the policies of the state government and ensure that their schools provide a safe and conducive learning environment.
“I am calling on all the private schools in the state to adhere strictly to the government’s directive.”
Prioritising primary education would no doubt guarantee innovation and technological development in the state.
