Nasarawa science school in ruins, exposes students to danger
The Government Science Secondary School (GSSS) Andaha, in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, which was established in 1981 by the defunct Plateau State Government is in ruins.
The school, located on the outskirts of Akwanga, welcomes one with an untarred road which makes access to it difficult.
Daily Trust observed that the school’s buildings are in a dilapidated state, with no perimeter fencing and no electrical supply, thus exposing the students to harsh weather and other dangers.
Despite having 16 classrooms, it was gathered that not more than five are functional, as others are in very bad shape.
Our correspondent observed that the entire structures have blown off roofs, cracked floors and decrepit chairs and desks. Two classrooms without ceiling have been converted to a female hostel.
In addition to lack of water, the school does not have toilets due to the collapse of the existing ones, compelling the students to resort to open defecation.
According to a source in the school, the only source of water for the school is a stream which is popularly called permanent site, noting that the two boreholes in the school were obsolete and dysfunctional.
It was also learnt that the school lacks science facilities despite being the only public science secondary school in Akwanga LGA.
Further findings by Daily Trust revealed that the school has graduated prominent politicians in Akwanga including a Member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mr Samuel Tsebe and a former Chairman of the council, Mr Yakubu Kwonta (now Special Adviser to the
Governor on Youths), among others.
However, it was gathered that a Non-Governmental
Organisation (NGO) donated a solar system to the school before it was destroyed by a windstorm, and since then, according to a female student who pleaded anonymity, the school which is not up to two kilometres from the main town is in darkness.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Akwanga LGA, Mr Samuel Meshi, has appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the school, saying something must be done fast to salvage it from collapse.
The school’s Principal, Zainab Musa, declined comment and directed our correspondent to the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Fati Sabo.
The commissioner, who requested for a physical meeting was however not in her office when our correspondent visited on Tuesday.
She subsequently decline to comment over the phone.