Over 100 pupils at the L.G.E.A. Primary School Maje in Danmahawayi Ward, Giwa LGA in Kaduna State, are compelled to sit on bare floors to learn due to the absence of chairs in the classroom.

The harsh reality of these pupils was revealed by a civil society organisation (CSO), MonITNG, after a visit to the school.

“This is the reality for over 100 pupils at L.G.E.A. Primary School Maje in Danmahawayi Ward, Giwa LGA, Kaduna State. These children sit on bare floors to learn every day because the school does not have a single desk or chair,” a statement by the CSO read in part.

To compensate for the lack of desks and chairs in the school, some pupils bring stools or small benches from home, taking them back after school every day.

The CSO lamented the distressing reality of these students, noting that the dire situation highlights the extent to which public education has become neglected.

“Young children, eager to learn, are forced to endure discomfort and indignity in classrooms that lack the most basic furniture. They sit on dusty floors, lean on cracked walls, and do their best to focus despite the odds,” the CSO said.

While speaking on Kaduna State’s fiscal transparency regarding education, MonITNG revealed that the Kaduna State Government has allocated billions to the educational sector in recent years, but schools like the L.G.E.A. Primary School Maje remain in poor condition.

The CSO appealed to the state governor, Uba Sani, to come to the rescue of these pupils by providing them with learning infrastructure.

“No child should have to suffer just to get an education. We call on the @GovKaduna to immediately provide desks, chairs, and renovate the classrooms.

“These pupils deserve a dignified, safe, and conducive learning environment. The time to act is now,” the CSO said.

The plight of these young learners highlights a broader issue affecting public schools nationwide. A 2014 study on the infrastructure conditions of public secondary schools in Ogun State revealed similar challenges, pointing to a systemic problem of inadequate funding and maintenance.

Ongoing policy discussions and educational reforms aim to address these challenges, but the current conditions at L.G.E.A. Primary School Maje serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for tangible improvements.