OVER 3,600 PUPILS AT FCT PRIMARY SCHOOL FORCED INTO DANGEROUS CLASSROOMS AMID YEARS OF NEGLECT

OVER 3,600 PUPILS AT FCT PRIMARY SCHOOL FORCED INTO DANGEROUS CLASSROOMS AMID YEARS OF NEGLECT

More than 3,600 pupils at LEA Primary School Yangoji in the Federal Capital Territory are reportedly learning under hazardous conditions, as deteriorating infrastructure continues to threaten both education and safety in the rural community.

Located in Yangoji, within Kwali Area Council, the school serves as the only accessible public primary institution for a population estimated at about 9,500 residents. Despite its critical role in providing basic education, the facility has been plagued by structural decay for over two years, leaving pupils and teachers to cope with damaged roofs, broken classroom walls and unsafe learning spaces.

Community members and local observers say the situation has reached alarming levels, with some parts of the school building on the verge of collapse. Pupils are said to attend lessons in fear, particularly during adverse weather conditions, as weakened roofing structures and cracked walls pose constant risks. Parents have expressed growing concern about the safety of their children, warning that continued neglect could lead to tragedy if urgent repairs are not carried out.

The crisis deepened following the collapse of one of the school’s classroom blocks, which has significantly disrupted learning arrangements. As a result, pupils in Primary 1 and Primary 2 have been merged into shared spaces, leading to severe overcrowding. Reports indicate that some classrooms now accommodate more than 600 pupils at a time, far exceeding safe and effective learning standards.

Teachers at the school are also facing immense challenges, struggling to manage large class sizes in an environment that lacks basic infrastructure and teaching support. Education experts warn that such conditions not only compromise safety but also undermine the quality of education, making it difficult for pupils to receive adequate attention and instruction.

Residents of Yangoji describe the school’s condition as a reflection of broader neglect in rural education infrastructure within parts of the Federal Capital Territory. While urban areas of Abuja have seen significant development, many outlying communities continue to face gaps in access to quality public services, including education and healthcare.

Local leaders and parents have called on authorities in the FCT Administration to intervene urgently by rehabilitating the damaged structures and providing additional classrooms to ease congestion. They argue that the current situation violates the rights of children to safe and conducive learning environments, as guaranteed under national education policies and international conventions.

Efforts to draw attention to the issue have intensified in recent weeks, with community members appealing to both government agencies and non-governmental organisations for support. Some residents have suggested temporary measures such as the installation of makeshift classrooms or tents, but stress that these should only serve as short-term solutions pending comprehensive reconstruction.

Education advocates note that overcrowding and unsafe infrastructure are persistent challenges in several public schools across Nigeria, particularly in rural and underserved communities. They emphasise that sustained investment in school facilities, teacher recruitment and maintenance is essential to improving learning outcomes and ensuring child safety.

As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from the FCT authorities specifically addressing the condition of LEA Primary School Yangoji. However, the growing concerns from the community highlight the urgency of government action to prevent further deterioration and safeguard the wellbeing of thousands of pupils.

For many families in Yangoji, the school represents the only pathway to formal education for their children. With no viable alternatives nearby, parents say they are left with little choice but to continue sending their children to the unsafe facility, hoping that intervention will come before a disaster occurs.

The situation underscores the critical need for proactive infrastructure management and equitable distribution of educational resources, particularly in rapidly expanding regions like the Federal Capital Territory. Without immediate action, stakeholders warn, the risks facing pupils at the school could escalate, turning a preventable crisis into a tragic outcome.

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