In Gizaki village, Bauchi state, a community of over five thousand people, villagers had to build a mud school for their children if they were ever to get a chance at education.
Only one primary school- built by the villagers – is in the community. Still, it has been neglected by the government. In the 2021 budget, N10m has been budgeted to address this – SUPPLY OF TEACHER AND CLASSROOMS FURNITURE AT GIZAKI PRIMARY SCHOOL, BOGORO LGA OF BAUCHI STATE, but it’s not enough.
The line item in itself is ambiguous. It does not state if the allocation is for classroom and teacher’s furniture or classroom furniture and ‘teacher supply’ because, the government hires teachers, not ‘supply’.
Tracka spoke with the school headteacher, who lamented the misplaced priority of the government.
“The villagers built this school, and we only have two classrooms for 114 pupils. We had to combine Primary 1, 2, &3 into one class, then combine Primary 4&5 into another. There is no primary six because there is no space for that. So we need more blocks of classrooms rather than classroom furniture. If we get the furniture today, where would we keep them?
We also need teachers because we currently have just two volunteer teachers being paid a paltry N4,000 by the PTA, and they are overwhelmed. How can only two teachers take five classes and over 100 pupils?”
The education environment is not conducive, and the quality of education received is poor. These are the scenarios that contribute to the terrible state of education in Nigeria. According to ONE.org, 90% of 10-year-olds in low-income countries can’t read or understand something simple, like a school test or health leaflet.
Communities should not have to, but those who go the extra mile to provide education for their children should not be neglected.
Tracka held a community town hall meeting in Gizaki this month, July 2021, where we sensitized the villagers on citizen participation, and they were bitter about the state of their community.
Markus Sinman, a native of the village, narrated that the government has deprived them of good education, potable water, a healthcare centre, and roads.
“Some parents who can afford the fee are taking their children to private school at Gizaki ll, while those who can’t and don’t like the current school take them to the farm instead. If the government eventually builds a school with good furniture and enough teachers, many parents will take their children to school.
Also, we don’t have any health centres, so whenever we’re sick, we go to the primary health centre in Gizaki ll for treatment. We need our health centre.” Markus said.
Although 25% of the funds have been released for 2021 projects, villagers say the government hasn’t started the project. Another villager, Hosea, said the government had neglected their community for a long time.
“It is like we are not part of Bauchi state because we don’t have anything. No good road, no water, no health centre, and no school. Even the local government is not doing anything about our situation. Tracka, please help us beg them to do something.” he said.
We urge the Federal government, Ministry of Education, and Bauchi state government to ensure that this project is completed according to the community’s needs. Children should have access to quality education in a conducive environment. The government should also look into other issues facing the community and address them accordingly.
Story by Ayomide Ladipo and Ahmed Dauda.
This story is published under Tracka’s #LeadersOfTomorrow, a story series that sheds light on the state of the educational sector in Nigeria and how it affects the development of children and youths.
