Kabo, Gurara Local Government Area, Niger State – Families in Kabo community are facing a crisis as they grapple with the worsening conditions at Central Primary School, the only public school serving the area. Parents and teachers have expressed deep concern over the dilapidated state of the school, which has become increasingly unsafe for both students and staff.

Unfit for Learning: The School’s Dire State

Classroom walls are crumbling, roofs leak during rainfall, and several structures are so weakened that they could collapse at any moment. Parents say that sending their children to the school has become a daily act of uncertainty, with many fearing for their children’s safety.

In a recent visit by BudgIT Foundation’s Tracka team, both parents and teachers described the school as a “daily battle,” where students struggle to receive even the most basic education.

Classroom Disruptions and Safety Concerns

The challenges at Central Primary School are overwhelming. Teachers report that lessons are frequently interrupted by the first signs of thunder, as the buildings are not able to provide shelter during heavy rains. This forces children to run home, missing vital instructional time and falling behind academically.

Parents and residents describe the classrooms as uncomfortable and unsafe, with no protection from the scorching sun or torrential rains. In some cases, abandoned classroom blocks have become hideouts for intruders, who reportedly use them as toilets after school hours. The resulting waste has created unsanitary conditions, with foul odours and a breeding ground for diseases.

A Growing Fear of Insecurity

Adding to the distress is the escalating insecurity in Niger State, which has been exacerbated by the recent abduction of over 300 students and teachers from a school in Papri. This incident has heightened fears that Kabo could be the next target. Without any perimeter fencing to protect the school, it is exposed to unwanted intruders, making it an easy target for criminal activities.

Some parents, fearful for their children’s safety, have resorted to keeping them at home, further contributing to the rising number of out-of-school children in Niger State, which already has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the North Central region.

Residents Appeal for Urgent Action

The community’s complaints are not an attack on the government, but a desperate call for help. In response to the worsening conditions, MonITNG, a civic tech organization, has issued a statement decrying the state of education in Niger. Despite billions of naira being allocated to the education sector, MonITNG argues that the current state of Central Primary School reflects deep-rooted neglect and misplaced priorities.

MonITNG has called on Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State, the Niger State Ministry of Education, Hon. Adamu Tanko Lokoja, representing the Suleja/Tafa/Gurara Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, and Senator Sani Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District at the Senate, to take urgent action.

A Call for an Education Emergency

In its appeal, MonITNG has urged the Niger State government to declare a state of emergency in education. The organization’s statement called for immediate renovations at Central Primary School, including the construction of safe classrooms, secure fencing, the provision of desks and chairs, the supply of learning materials, and the stationing of guards to ensure the safety of the children.

“These families deserve hope, not hardship. Quality, safe education is every child’s right. Let’s secure their future,” MonITNG stated.

The situation in Kabo is a stark reminder of the urgent need for structural and systemic reforms in Nigeria’s educational infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where resources are often scarce. The people of Kabo, like many others across the country, are pleading for immediate intervention to safeguard the future of their children and ensure they have access to a quality and safe education.