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The Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) has donated 56 classroom desks to the LEA Primary School, Nyanya Phase 1, under its ‘Adopt-a-School’ initiative.
The initiative is aimed at improving learning conditions in public schools.
Prof. Rosemary Udeozor, a member of the Academy, who made the presentation on Thursday in Abuja, advocated increased public support for underserved basic education institutions across the country.
Udeozor, a seasoned educationist, decried the poor infrastructure in many public schools, noting that pupils in Nyanya Phase 1 were learning in difficult conditions.
“When we visited the school, we were shocked to discover that the pupils were learning in appalling conditions, no desks, no chairs, no conducive environment.
“As professionals, we know meaningful learning cannot happen like this,” she said.
She called the donation ‘a small step towards solving a wider problem’ and urged government officials, development partners, and well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts to improve learning environments.
“This school was selected under the Academy’s flagship project to support under-resourced schools. The needs are enormous and go beyond furniture,” Udeozor added.
She also highlighted the poor access road to the school, saying the muddy, rocky path poses safety risks, especially during the rainy season.
“I had difficulty driving into the school compound. How these children manage to get here daily is baffling, yet they come, they learn, and they hope,” she said.
Another NAE member, Prof. Kate Oreh, expressed concern about the state of public education and urged private organisations and individuals to contribute actively.
“Many schools lack basic facilities such as libraries, books, desks, and regular teacher training.
“Why should we ignore government schools? The children are ours. The nation belongs to all of us,” she said.
Oreh called on philanthropists to invest in school libraries and sponsor teacher capacity building.
“When you act, others will follow,” she said.
Responding, Mr Dangiwa Mairiga, who oversees School Services at the Local Education Authority (LEA), Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), commended the donation and called it timely.
“We need genuine partners like the NAE. The government cannot do it alone,” he said.
He urged the school to ensure proper maintenance of the furniture to ensure long-term use.
Also speaking, the Head Teacher of LEA Primary School, Mrs Yepwi Yohanna, expressed appreciation to the Academy for the intervention.
She said with 35 to 40 pupils per classroom, the school still required more desks to meet minimum standards.
“We plan to spread the donated desks across classes so that every pupil can benefit in some way,” she said.
Yohanna added that the school was currently running an extended term to make up for lost time earlier in the academic year and would continue classes until the end of Aug. (NAN)
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