School vandalism, break-ins persist in Abuja

The authorities in Pilot Science Primary School (PSPS) Gwagwalada, Abuja, have said vandals break into the school and either destroyed or carted away valuable items after school hours.

The principal, Ahmed Shangalo, said this during the Ane Osiobe International Foundation outreach to the school where over 1000 textbooks were donated to primary five pupils.

He said the hoodlums had continued to break into the school and deprived it of valuable items and urged the Federal Government to provide security in schools across the country.

“Security is our main problem. Hoodlums broke down our fence, burgle the classrooms and stole teaching materials. Sometimes they pass faeces in the classrooms. We tried to mend the fence, but they still destroy it again,” he said.

Also speaking, the Zonal Education Officer, Gwagwalada, Mrs Nwokocha Onyetugo, said schools in the FCT run a “qualitative education system”.

“As far as FCT schools are concerned, we ensure quality; we have that quality and we give qualitative education,” she said.

She explained that through regular inspections, usage of approved curricula, textbooks and qualified teachers, quality education in the FCT is progressively being achieved.

While disagreeing with the common belief that the standard of education in Nigeria is deteriorating, Onyetugo said the evolving education curriculum is adding to the quality of education in Nigeria.

She also said vandals were destroying school properties and called on the Federal Government to provide security at schools especially those in remote areas.

On his part, the president of the foundation, Dr Stephen Osiobe, said the books donated would “motivate and support the students to read.”

He revealed that the foundation was ready to run a scholarship programme for students who could not afford examination fees in primary and secondary schools.