The last time the Bauchi State Government recruited teachers in primary and secondary schools was in 2014-2015 when Malam Isah Yuguda was governor, and since then no single teacher has been employed in the sector even as there are retirements, change of cadre and death.
With this sad and unwelcome development, Bauchi has been named among the states having a high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. According to UNESCO, in October, 2022, Bauchi had the highest figure, amounting to 1,239,759.
This alarming figure is not unconnected with the government’s failure to recruit teachers, provide enough instructional materials and non-payment of salaries.
This weird and mind-boggling development has thrown thousands of Bauchi kids out of school, and sadly others to street begging and other criminal activities.
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Imagine a whole primary school having one teacher with a population of about 350 pupils.
There are many schools in Lame District in Toro LGA with only one teacher. Not just in Lame, but almost all the primary schools in the state’s rural areas are facing similar problems.
Pupils receive classes under trees with no chairs. Not just primary schools, even our secondary schools are in terrible conditions.
Education in Bauchi is on the verge of collapse, as such, I’m calling on the administration of Gov Bala Muhammad to as a matter of urgent public importance employ sufficient teachers, build enough classes, as well as renovate the abandoned ones.
Ukasha Rabiu Magama wrote from Magama, Bauchi State.
