For over twenty years, Bamburu Community in Suleja, Niger state, had no functional primary school to cater to the learning needs of over 500 children. The children had to go to the neighbouring community of Taza, which is 5km away, to learn every day.
However, this changed in 2022 when the state governemnt allocated N40 million to the Construction of a 12-classroom block at the Model Science Primary School in the year’s budget.
The project was completed and furnished in January 2023. However, a year later, the new classrooms remain locked and unavailable. Weeds have overgrown the building while the children languish without access to a learning facility.
After the general elections in March 2023, the governor-elect at the time, Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello promised the residents that the model school would be the first science primary school in Suleja with well-trained science teachers and improved educational science teaching aids. It was also assured that the school would start functioning immediately after he assumed office.
However, nearly a year has passed, and there has been no progress. The structure has been left abandoned, leaving the promises unfulfilled, and over 500 children in the community are still walking 5km every day to the neighbouring community of Taza to access education when a better alternative exists.
Community members lamented the abandonment of the school and how it had become not just a dashed hope but a safety issue.
“The lack of access to the new structure is frustrating. Our children have not experienced anything good from the government for many years, and then after they built this one, they decided not to open it. It is just like a punishment.” said Yahya, a father of three.
Others also raised concerns about safety as some hoodlums have been using the place as a hideout for taking hard drugs and also defecating indiscriminately in the facility.
We call on the Niger State governor, H.E Mohammed Bago, Niger State Universal Education Board, and Suleja LGA Chairman, Hon Isyaku Bawa Naibi, to facilitate the staffing of this facility and ensure it is open for use to provide succour to the community and ensure judicious use of public funds.
Story by Ayomide Ladipo and Moses Motoni
