Amina J. Mohammed
Over 800 pupils at Bunusai Primary School in Ningi Town are being deprived of quality basic education whenever it rains, as the school’s dilapidated condition leaves both students and teachers with no safe shelter during harsh weather.
Teachers and pupils are left with no choice but to stay at home or shut the school when it starts raining due to the unsafe and deteriorated state of most of the classrooms in the school.
The school’s condition is widely seen as a major setback to educational development in the area.
ALSO READ: Students, Residents in Bauchi Community Lament Rising Cases of Insecurity
School in Disrepair for Four Years
The current state of Bunusai Primary School has reached a critical point, with the buildings just standing bereft of roofing.
The lack of adequate seating, combined with exposure to windstorms, has left students without a conducive learning environment.
Headmistress’ Struggles
According to the school’s headmistress, Malama Hafsat Abdullahi, the conditions have made it increasingly challenging to conduct lessons. “Our school has been in this deplorable condition for years, especially during the rainy season. We are forced to close whenever it rains or even when there is a threat of rain, sending the students home for their own safety,” she explained.
Malama Hafsat noted that the teachers have found it increasingly difficult to deliver lessons in such conditions.
Despite several meetings with the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) and multiple attempts, including financial contributions and pleas to local politicians, no meaningful result has been achieved.
Community Voices Concern
The situation has also left parents and community members frustrated, with many unsure about the future of their children’s education.
Abubakar Usman, a resident of Bunusai and father of two children who attend the school, expressed his concerns “I rely completely on this public school, but my children are now forced to stay at home whenever it rains. This situation is affecting their performance, and it’s difficult for them to compete with students from other schools,” he lamented.
Another resident, Fatima Shuaibu, revealed that during rainy days, many parents have no choice but to send their children to the farm or to help with house chores as schooling is disrupted.
“It’s shocking that such a school, right in the heart of Ningi Town, has been abandoned. We urge education stakeholders to pay attention to this problem for the benefit of everyone,” She stated.
Unheeded Pleas to Authorities
Malama Hafsat Abdullahi confirmed that multiple written complaints had been forwarded to both the Local Education Authority (LEA) and the local government, requesting urgent intervention, but the responses have been inadequate.
The Chairman of the SBMC explained that despite community contributions to rehabilitate the school, their efforts have fallen short.
He expressed disappointment at the lack of support from government officials and local authorities.
“We’ve asked for help from the local government and the LEA, but our requests have not been considered. We urge the government to prioritize the education of these children and renovate the school to secure the future of the younger generation,” he appealed.
Local Education Authority Responds
When contacted, the Ningi Local Education Secretary, Malam Umar Shaubu, acknowledged that the Authority is aware of the school’s poor condition.
He stated that efforts are underway to address similar issues in several schools across the area.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that schools like Bunusai Primary return to normal. It’s a priority for us,” he assured.
The delay in addressing the condition of Bunusai Primary School continues to raise concerns, as community members wait anxiously for a solution to ensure their children can pursue education without disruption.
