More than 200 pupils at the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School in Makani community, Abuja, are currently learning under hazardous conditions as the school’s infrastructure continues to deteriorate, sparking renewed concerns over safety and the quality of basic education in the area.
Reports from a civic monitoring platform indicate that several classrooms are in advanced stages of disrepair, with damaged roofs, sagging ceilings and exposed wooden beams posing visible structural risks. During rainfall, water reportedly seeps into classrooms, forcing interruptions to lessons, while extreme heat intensifies indoors under direct sunlight, making the learning environment increasingly unbearable.
Parents have expressed deep anxiety over the safety of their children, warning that the weakened structures could give way, particularly during heavy storms. Many say they now send their children to school with uncertainty, worried that a routine school day could turn dangerous.
Beyond the safety hazards, repeated disruptions linked to the dilapidated buildings are said to be undermining academic performance. Teachers and pupils reportedly struggle with concentration as lessons are frequently interrupted by leaks, falling debris or uncomfortable classroom temperatures.
Community leaders have described the situation as unacceptable, insisting that no child should be compelled to pursue education in an environment that threatens their wellbeing. They are urging authorities to treat the matter as urgent and prevent further deterioration of the facility.
Residents are calling for an immediate structural integrity assessment, emergency rehabilitation of affected classrooms and greater transparency regarding funds allocated to primary education in the area. They argue that functional and safe classrooms are fundamental to preserving pupils’ dignity and ensuring meaningful learning outcomes.
Education observers note that the crisis in Makani reflects wider infrastructure challenges confronting local education authorities across the country. Stakeholders maintain that swift intervention is critical to prevent a situation where children are forced to choose between their safety and their right to education.
For families in Makani, the demand is simple: a secure and conducive learning environment where children can study without fear — a basic standard they insist should never be compromised.
