Kabo Community in Niger State Faces Education Crisis as Central Primary School Crumbles

Families in Kabo community, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, are confronting a daily struggle to provide their children with even the most basic education, as the only school serving the area, Central Primary School, falls into dangerous disrepair.

The school, with crumbling walls and leaking roofs, offers little protection from scorching heat or torrential rains, and its fragile structures pose a real risk of collapse. Parents wake each morning worried about sending their children into an unsafe and uninspiring learning environment.

During a recent visit by the Tracka team, residents voiced deep frustration over the conditions. Teachers explained that lessons frequently grind to a halt at the first rumble of thunder, as pupils are hurriedly sent home due to classrooms that cannot protect them from rain. Abandoned classroom blocks have become havens for intruders, often used as toilets, leaving behind waste that spreads disease and exposes children to health hazards.

The emotional toll on families is severe. Parents recounted sleepless nights, torn between the desire to educate their children and fear for their safety. With no proper fencing around the school, children are vulnerable, a concern amplified by the recent abduction of over 300 students and teachers from a school in Papri, heightening fears that Kabo could face a similar threat.

Many parents, disheartened by the unsafe conditions, have opted to keep their children at home, contributing to Niger State’s already alarming out-of-school rate, particularly in North Central Nigeria. The ongoing neglect risks trapping generations in poverty and limiting future opportunities for these children.

Residents are calling on government authorities, including Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the Niger State Government, the Ministry of Education, and local lawmakers, to declare an education emergency. They are demanding immediate renovation of Central Primary School, including solid classrooms, secure fencing, desks and chairs, adequate learning materials, and security personnel to safeguard students.

“This is a plea for hope, not hardship,” community members said. “Quality and safe education is every child’s right—our children deserve a future free from fear and deprivation.”

The situation in Kabo highlights the urgent need for government accountability and prioritization of education, ensuring that no child is denied access to safe and conducive learning environments.