Pupils in Kano community forced to learn under trees as classrooms collapse

A primary school in the Turawa community of Karaye Local Government Area, Kano State, is forcing pupils to learn in open spaces under trees due to the collapse of most classroom blocks.

With over 1,000 pupils enrolled, the few available structures are grossly inadequate, leaving teachers overwhelmed and students stranded during unfavourable weather conditions.

An investigation revealed that whenever it rains, teachers are left with no option but to send the children home, cutting learning hours and disrupting the academic calendar.

Out of the six classroom blocks in the school, three have completely collapsed and are unusable. The remaining three are in deplorable condition, with two lacking roofs, exposing pupils to the scorching sun and rainfall. Even the only functional block has no floor, forcing children to sit directly on bare sand during lessons.

A teacher, who preferred anonymity, expressed frustration over the situation, saying:

“When it’s sunny, we try to manage under the trees, but when it rains, the only option we have is to close school and ask the children to go home. The classrooms are not safe. Some have completely collapsed, and others are on the verge of falling.”

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Parents in the community also voiced their concerns about the impact on their children’s education.

One parent lamented: “How can our children compete with others in the city when they are learning under trees or sitting on sand?”

Alhaji Muhammadu Shaibu, a father of four, added: “The government must come and see this with their own eyes. We are being left behind.”

Similarly, Hajia Ahisa Garko said: “Many of these children walk long distances to school every day, only to be sent back home when it rains. How can they learn like this?”

The head of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Malam Sulaiman Idris, disclosed that the school had written several letters to the local government and the Kano State Ministry of Education but received no response. “We’ve cried out for help, but no one is listening. All we want is for our children to learn in safe classrooms like every other child in Nigeria,” he said.

Efforts to get a response from the state government were unsuccessful. However, a source hinted that the present administration is working to address educational challenges inherited from previous governments.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE