OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY RT. HON. AHMADU UMARU FINTIRI ON THE DEPLORABLE STATE OF SOME PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ADAMAWA STATE IS A PRESSING CONCERN THAT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
His Excellency,
Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri,
Executive Governor, Adamawa State
Government House, Yola.
Your Excellency Sir,
I write this letter with an open mind, considering your transformative style with which you steer the ship of governance in Adamawa state, prompt payment of salaries/pension, developing Yola the state capital/ the local government councils and the bold and remarkable creation of emirates and chiefdoms in the state.
2. However, the deplorable state of some primary and secondary schools in Adamawa state is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. Even with the free education policy of your admiration in the state quite a number of schools lack basic infrastructure and adequate teachers.
3. For instance, Gambe primary school in Mayo-Belwa local government area, LGA has only two staff members, the Headteacher and the assistant Headteacher. The junior secondary school, JSS Gambe that share the same structure with the primary school has the principal of the school and one teacher. Similarly, Monnenni primary school in Ganye LGA with only a teacher, the only community built mud classroom block has since collapsed. Gbanni another school in Ganye area council, no structure with three teachers only.
4. What I saw is what I am writing about, for sure more difficult areas in the two councils mentioned above include, gang-Tiba, Tarum, Lingbii-Njanganni, Da-nubbi etc. are on mountain tops or behind one or two mountains, passing across strong streams in the rainy season.
These challenges are not unique to Ganye and Mayo Belwa local government areas, a survey in Adamawa hinterland may give the same story of woe. The situation is alarming, considering the future of the state’s children yet unborn.
To address this issue, it is essential to prioritize education and allocate sufficient resources to improve the infrastructure and staffing of schools across the state. Teachers when motivated and are paid difficult teaching area allowances would be ready to serve in any part of the state.
His Excellency, you are to prioritize education and allocate sufficient resources to improve the infrastructure and staffing of schools. This can involve collaborating with local communities, organizations and the government to provide support and funding.
Some potential solution includes:
i. Infrastructure Development: Building new classroom and renovation of existing ones to provide a conducive learning environment.
ii. Teacher Recruitment and Training: Hiring more teachers and providing them with necessary training and resources to improve the quality of education.
iii. Community Engagement: Collaborating with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of education and also involve them in the process of improving schools.
iv. Government Support: Advocating for increased government funding and support for education to address the systemic challenges facing the sector, now that your government free education policy is in place.
v. For sure, His Excellency you may wish to put in place a committee to go round the state to see practically the situation of school structure, number of teachers across the state for the purpose of improving the situation for posterity.
Comrade Gilbert Titus Tenense
Elder and Retired Teacher
