In Gasi Primary School, Gasi community, Balanga LGA in Gombe state, children sit under a tree to learn. In 2020, we had visited the community to raise awareness concerning their lack of health and educational facilities for primary education, and the government responded to the health request by constructing a primary health centre. But primary education in the community has worsened.
The school has over 280 pupils who miss school throughout the rainy seasons because they can’t learn in the rain, nor sit on the wet stones and sand. The situation has further discouraged parents in the community from sending their children to school.
In 2021, the community built a zinc shade for them, but it has done nothing to alleviate the terrible situation. According to the headteacher, Mr Sambo, primary 1-3 learn under the tree, while primary 4-6 learn inside the zinc house. He also mentioned that the teachers use their personal funds to purchase learning materials like chalk, exercise books, and blackboards.
“The government only supplies a few outdated textbooks, so we have to use our personal money to buy books and other stationeries for the children to keep coming. Even children from other communities like Garin Salihu Randam, Garin Fada Katsinawa, Panglang Anguwan Musa, Batu Anguwan, and Jauro Iliya come all the way to Gasi to learn. If the government builds a good school for us, it will even benefit many people outside Gasi.” he told Tracka.
We also spoke to a pupil who described his ordeal of sitting on a stone all day to learn.
“My back aches from sitting on stones every time, so I don’t even come every day again because the pain is too much.” he said.
We also spoke to the community head, Mr Hassan Sambo. He mentioned that the situation has been like that since 2017 when erosion collapsed the previous building. He said nothing had been done despite their pleas to the state government.
“The government should please hear our cries. We are willing and ready to give our kids all the necessary support to go to school if they are provided with a good learning environment.” he said.
We call on Alh. Mohammed Yahaya; the Gombe state governor, Senator Amos Bulus Kilawangs representing Gombe South Senatorial District, Hon. Victor Danzaria of Balanga/Biliri Federal Constituency and other stakeholders to look into this problem and provide a building for Gasi Primary School.
Public funds must work for the good of the people.
Story by Ayomide Ladipo and Esther Lamon.
The NPS of this zone require urgent renovations of its schools infrastructural facilities and other incentives to teaches for improve learning in these Nomadic schools.