Nasarawa Public Schools Face Infrastructure And Teacher Shortages
As primary school pupils resume for the new academic session, the excitement of returning to school is overshadowed by harsh realities in many public schools across Nasarawa North Senatorial District.
A tour of public primary schools in Akwanga North, Pilot Science Primary School, Ubbe, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, and Pilot Science Primary School, Wamba Kurmi, reveals a familiar story, ranging from leaking roofs and a lack of desks to classrooms where one teacher attends to as many as 100 pupils.
It was further gathered that some classrooms have broken windows, no furniture and dilapidated toilets, while in rural areas, many pupils still sit on bare floors or learn under trees.
However, a visit by NBS News to Akwanga North Primary School showed that renovation work has reached an advanced stage, with labourers working round the clock to ensure timely completion before resumption.
Education stakeholders say that while the state government and the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, have renovated some schools, many others are still in dire need of attention.
To address the challenges facing public schools across the state, the government at all levels must give priority to providing conducive learning environments and employing more qualified and competent teachers.
Although some classrooms remain under lock and key, investigations revealed that in several schools, one teacher handles three classes at once due to inadequate staffing and staff attrition.
Parents say they are being forced to enrol their children in private schools that they can barely afford because of the poor quality of education in some public schools.
“We need more teachers, especially in rural areas. Many teachers don’t want to go there because of poor housing and lack of incentives. The ones we have are overstretched.”
The SUBEB Chairman, Kasim Mohammed Kasim, in his recent statement, said teacher recruitment is ongoing, but stakeholders argue that the exercise is not keeping pace with population growth and retirements.
