Pupils at a primary school in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are being made to learn in extremely poor conditions, sitting on bare floors in overcrowded classrooms without desks or chairs, even as billions of naira in education funding has been released for basic education across Nigeria.
According to a report by civic accountability organisation MonITng, pupils at LEA Primary School, Dupka in Ibwa Ward, Gwagwalada Area Council are compelled to sit on the floor and struggle daily in environments that strip them of dignity and the basic right to quality education. The classrooms are reportedly poorly ventilated, making learning uncomfortable and unsafe, particularly during hot weather.
MonITng highlighted a glaring disconnect between official claims of school renovations and the lived realities of children in communities like Gwagwalada. Despite the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) having released billions of naira for basic education funds meant to improve school infrastructure, facilities, furniture and teaching materials, those improvements have yet to materialise in Dupka.
The organisation also pointed to a shortage of basic instructional materials, saying many classrooms lack essential teaching and learning tools, forcing pupils to share limited resources or go without them entirely. Overcrowding has further hampered effective instruction, making it difficult for teachers to give pupils the individual attention they need.
MonITng criticised local leadership, alleging that while area council chairmen donate vehicles to political loyalists, community schools remain neglected. The group condemned the failure of both the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the leadership of the area council to address these deplorable conditions. “Education cannot thrive where children learn on bare floors, in congested spaces, without basic facilities,” the organisation stated.
The conditions at LEA Primary School, Dupka reflect a broader challenge in public education within the FCT, where the reality on the ground continues to fall far short of the promises tied to massive federal and UBEC funding. Urgent action is being called for to ensure that allocated resources translate into tangible improvements for students and teachers alike.
