Education
PHOTOS: In Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abaji Pupils Carry Stones To Sit As School Lacks Desks, Chairs, Water, Toilet
The resident also shared photographs showing some of the pupils carrying stones, while others were seen sitting and lying on the bare floor inside a classroom.
Pupils of Abaji South Primary School in Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have reportedly been carrying stones from the surrounding community to the school for use as seats amid a shortage of desks and chairs.
A resident who raised the alarm with SaharaReporters said he saw pupils carrying stones on their heads to the school early Friday morning.
The resident also shared photographs showing some of the pupils carrying stones, while others were seen sitting and lying on the bare floor inside a classroom.
He said the situation was concerning, particularly because children were being made to engage in activities that could expose them to risks.
“Early morning on Friday, I saw some pupils carrying stones on their heads to the school. It was quite concerning to see children still having to engage in such activities,” the resident told SaharaReporters.
He said the stones were reportedly being sourced from an area around the community, expressing concern that continued removal of stones and soil could worsen erosion in the area.
According to him, the school is also affected by erosion, while some classrooms lack adequate chairs and desks for pupils.
He further said the school had no proper water supply and that its toilet had remained in a dilapidated condition for more than 10 years.
The resident alleged that officials from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Abaji Area Council had visited the school several times for supervisory purposes, but the condition of the toilet had remained unresolved.
He appealed to the Chairman of Abaji Area Council, the Supervisory Councillor for Education, the FCDA and other relevant authorities to intervene.
“This is simply about drawing attention to the condition of the school and ensuring that the pupils have a safe and conducive environment to learn,” he said.
The situation was also highlighted on Sunday by MonITNG, a civic platform, which posted photographs of the pupils and classroom on X and called on FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Senator Ireti Kingibe and other authorities to intervene.
“This is Abaji South Primary School, Abaji Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and the condition in which these children are expected to learn should concern every Nigerian,” the platform said.
MonITNG said some pupils were sitting directly on the bare floor, while others had gone into the community to look for stones to use as makeshift seats.
The platform described the situation as a problem beyond furniture, saying it raised concerns about the dignity, safety and quality of education available to children in underserved communities.
school
It urged the FCT Administration, FCT Universal Basic Education Board, Abaji Area Council and other relevant authorities to urgently visit the school, assess its condition and provide classrooms, desks, chairs and other essential learning facilities.
The platform also referenced the FCT’s budget, noting that the territory’s 2026 budget was approved at about ₦2.285 trillion, with ₦1.741 trillion earmarked for capital projects.
It also cited a proposed ₦500 billion commercial loan contained in the FCT’s 2024 budget for ongoing capital projects.
“A child should never have to search for a stone in the community simply to find somewhere to sit and learn,” MonITNG said.
Source: Saharareporters
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