From Abe Leonard, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Government has dismissed a media report alleging that pupils in public primary schools in the state are learning on bare floors, describing it as “false and misleading.”
As reported in Daily Trust of Wednesday, 25th December 2024 “Primary schools in Nasarawa State are affected by the challenge of poor infrastructure despite huge financial allocations to the education sector yearly.
Recalling a visit to TA’AL Modern Nursery and Primary School in Lafia, last year, also showed how 90 per cent of pupils from primary one to six were seen sitting on the bare floor to receive lessons.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Hon. Peter Ahemba, the government accused the publication of being “a gross misrepresentation of the facts on the ground” and “a sponsored mischief designed to tarnish the image of the government.”
Hon. Ahemba acknowledged that while some schools in the state face infrastructural challenges, significant investments have been made under Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration to improve learning conditions.
“The Engr. Sule-led government has undertaken massive construction and renovation of classrooms, distributed thousands of desks and chairs, and provided other essential educational materials to public primary schools across the state,” Ahemba said.
He further highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance school facilities, including perimeter fencing, boreholes, geophysical surveys, and landscaping, all aimed at creating a conducive learning environment.
Ahemba urged journalists to verify their sources before publishing information, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving education in the state. “We call on journalists to always verify and cross-check their sources of information through official channels to avoid dishing out misleading information,” he stated.
The government also reiterated its commitment to improving education standards through staff training, periodic teacher recruitment, and timely payment of salaries and entitlements.
He urged urged members of the public to disregard the report, as the government continues its efforts to address infrastructural gaps and enhance the quality of education in Nasarawa State.