Teachers and pupils at the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Primary School, Ididiloko Adum Otukpa, Ogbadibo LGA, Benue State, are enduring harsh learning conditions due to deteriorating classrooms and a lack of basic furniture.
With no desks, pupils are forced to sit on the bare floor, while teachers, lacking chairs, perch on windowsills to conduct lessons.
Civic technology platform Monitng, after a recent visit, described the situation as alarming. “Heavy winds have damaged parts of the school, making it unsafe for learning. Even worse, 336 pupils have stopped attending due to the lack of classrooms. The community is struggling to renovate the school on its own, without government assistance,” the organisation reported.
This crisis persists despite Benue State’s education budget skyrocketing from N33.85 billion in 2024 to N82.52 billion in 2025.
“With such a significant budget increase, why are schools like this still in such deplorable conditions? Where is the funding going? Why are children being denied their right to quality education?” Monitng questioned.
The organisation called for urgent intervention from the Benue State Government. “This school needs new classrooms and proper furniture. Pupils deserve a safe and conducive learning environment, not abandoned structures.”
Monitng further urged the government to prioritise rural schools. “Education is the foundation of any thriving society. Benue State must invest in schools in rural communities to secure a better future for its children,” it stated.
