The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to residents, cautioning them against encroaching on school lands. He emphasized that such actions would not be tolerated under his administration.
The minister’s warning came after conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the teaching and learning conditions at the LEA Primary School in Bagusa, a village in the Dei Dei community of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
During the assessment, it was revealed that the school, established by the previous administration, currently caters to about 200 pupils using only 16 desks, which are spread across six different classes, including a crèche.
Dr. Danlami Hayyo, speaking on behalf of Minister Wike, pledged immediate action to address the situation by constructing new classrooms for the pupils. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a junior secondary school, ensuring a seamless transition for final year pupils to the next level.
The Minister’s decision to conduct a physical assessment was prompted by reports received by the secretariat, highlighting the school’s dire condition and the plight of its pupils.
In the interim, Dr. Hayyo affirmed the secretariat’s commitment to addressing the underlying issues that have led to the unacceptable situation at the school.
Emphasizing the need for intervention, Dr. Hayyo stated, “The FCT minister has directed that I come and supervise the school so that in no time, construction will commence in this school and we are going to convert the school from the current structure to a new modern structure.”
He continued, “We are going to complete it, and then we are going to construct a new block of four classrooms through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) intervention with their counterpart funding of 2023.”
Furthermore, the Minister has directed the construction of an additional block of four classrooms to accommodate Junior Secondary School students, ensuring a conducive learning environment for all pupils.
Dr. Hayyo assured, “We will work tirelessly to enhance the infrastructure and ensure that no child’s education is compromised by inadequate facilities or unsafe conditions.”
The head teacher of the school, Chebawaza Alfred Shawo Katungu, expressed his elation, stating that he had almost lost hope of government intervention until Wike assumed office as Minister.
Similarly, the Chief of Bagusa village, Zakka Iyah, expressed gratitude for the Minister’s intervention, remarking that the community had been eagerly anticipating a turnaround in the fortunes of the school for years.
