Emir Raises Alarm Over Dilapidated Schools in Jigawa
Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
Emir of Hadejia
The Emir of Hadejia and Chairman of the Jigawa State Council of Chiefs, Dr. Adamu Abubakar Maje, has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of primary schools within his domain, describing it as “worrisome and unacceptable.”
The royal father stated this after paying an unscheduled visit to several primary schools in Ayama District of Auyo Local Government Area, where he observed dilapidated classrooms, absence of desks for pupils, and shortage of teaching materials.
Dr. Maje noted that many pupils were forced to sit on bare floors while learning in leaking or cracked classrooms.
He urged Governor Umar Namadi to undertake surprise visits to schools across the state “to see things for himself and boost the morale of hardworking teachers.”
The Emir said he would compile a detailed report on the state of the education sector in the area and forward it to the government for urgent intervention.
Maje appealed to parents and guardians to play active roles in school monitoring and support, rather than abandoning everything to government.
Reacting to the development, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Haruna Musa, said they were aware of the condition of the schools and making efforts to rehabilitate and upgrade them.
He said that the condition of the schools was “a product of decades of accumulated neglect” which could not be fixed overnight.
According to him, the administration or Governor Namadi has embarked on massive construction and renovation of classrooms through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) intervention and state-funded projects.
“Recently, over 300 projects were advertised for tender under the 2023 UBEC intervention. Tender opening was conducted last week, and contract awards are now in progress,” he said.
The executive chairman said the 2024 phase of the school’ rehabilitation and renovation is underway.
Prof. Musa blamed the “unpatriotic attitude” of some communities who vandalise school infrastructure.
“In many places, people remove iron windows, doors, roofing sheets—even chairs. Worse still, when minor damages occur, instead of fixing them, communities wait for government intervention. By the time we become aware, the damage has escalated,” he lamented.
The executive chairman appealed to communities in the state to take ownership of schools and protect them from vandalism.
