Open Roofs

I have had it in my mind to write about the state of some of the schools I have seen in Lagos for more than a few months now; I shelved these thoughts until today.

I must commend the efforts of the state government over the years since the return of democracy in 1999. What existed in the few years prior to end of military rule was nothing to write to the Queen about. Many dropped out of school and either acquired technical/ creative skills or followed the wide road engaging in such vices as crime, substance abuse and diverse deeds which their parents would have been embarrassed about. Those who stayed had to practically arrange for their own education despite the proliferation of gang violence and cultism within the schools. There is no doubt that many became premature mothers who remain under the care of their parents till this day. Some pursued adventures into higher institutions either as tag along passengers without admission letters or became professional students who never graduated but pursued fraudulent student unionism for more than a decade. The stories of cult related killings are abundant and gory such that HBO could produce more than three full series from the numerous authentic tales. Many geniuses were sadly cut short before their primes by illness, cult violence or the ever persistent accidents on the mine fields we call roads in Nigeria. How politicians can know about all these and yet continue in their folly and thievery is beyond human comprehension.

Back to the current matter; I have had the privilege to travel a bit around this country and to visit quite a number of schools across the land save the SouthEast and most of the SouthSouth region. The seeds planted by the Premier of the old Western region yielded trees which still remain till this day. The works of the missionary institutions also still remain however there are still regions where pupils take lessons under palm frond sheds like my father did in the 1950s while in his home country. It is clearly that the governments of recent years have not done enough to match the foundations laid by those of the past; many of the buildings constructed in the 1940s-1970s still stand despite the many years of wear and torsion unlike those erected in the last few years. They have simply relegated education and squandered whatever ought to have been ploughed into educating Nigeria's future while they send their wards to greener pastures.

I have been to or passed by a few primary and secondary schools in Lagos and it appears the government has done well to ensure attendance. There does not appear to be discrimination in these schools as children from diverse tribes and tongues are in attendance. I have seen proper school uniforms and sport wears, organized food vendors, furniture, books and of course smiling kids. Although there are new structures present in some schools, many more have had what appears to be renovations done. Unfortunately, blown off roofs following these renovations characterize many of these schools.

I saw another primary school without proper roofs today and it was the last straw needed to prompt this. One wonders if the government deceived the stakeholders that it was committed to rebuilding schools but instead did not provide funds sufficient for the task. Could it be evidence of the poor quality of materials available to contractors or are our craft men simply incapable of doing work with dexterity like their West African counterparts who are noted for their competence and skill?

Relatively new roofs getting blown open by winds and thunderstorm have caused some headteachers to abandon entire classrooms. The relative shortage of competent teachers to tutor and monitor pupils also contributes a great deal to the suboptimal use of available facilities. Many of the teachers have been at the helm for upwards of 20-25years. Many schools cannot operate classes for toddlers adding to the dormant spaces. 

There is an emergency in the educational sector particularly at the primary level. It is unfortunate that our children have to go through this scarification process we call education. Lagos has done well but can do so much more. Some states do not even do anything while one Governor in particular wants to be worshiped because he got the Japanese to refurbish some schools in his extremely filth laden state. Those who get contracts to construct have to prove they have neural tissue in their skulls while the recruitment and proper renumetation of teachers should be taken up with urgency, seriousness and sincerity. There are too many blown roofs, it means our future is exposed to the elements and in grave danger.