Residents in Kakaraji, Lapai Local Government Area, say the collapse of the community primary school and withdrawal of government teachers have left more than 150 pupils learning under difficult conditions.
More than 150 children at Kakaraji Primary School in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State are currently learning under a makeshift bamboo shelter after the school’s mud-built classroom structure collapsed, while residents say the withdrawal of government-employed teachers has left the community relying on two volunteer teachers.
The situation was highlighted during a community sensitisation meeting organised by Tracka, an initiative of the BudgIT Foundation, on May 14, 2026. The meeting brought together the village head, head teacher, parents and other community stakeholders to identify priority development challenges requiring government attention.
According to residents, government-employed teachers previously posted to the school were withdrawn in early 2025, leaving the community without officially assigned teachers. In response, residents contributed from their limited resources to engage two volunteer teachers to continue teaching the pupils.
The school building, which was originally constructed through the efforts of community members before being handed over to the government, later suffered damage from heavy rainfall and strong winds and eventually collapsed.
With no functional classroom available, community members constructed a temporary shelter using bamboo poles, wood and other locally available materials. Pupils from Primary 1 to Primary 6 now receive lessons under the structure.
Residents said the makeshift classroom offers limited protection from rainfall and excessive heat, while also raising concerns about the safety and general learning conditions of the pupils and teachers.
Parents and community leaders further reported that the deteriorating learning environment is discouraging some children from attending school, with some pupils increasingly accompanying their parents to farms.
Beyond the school, residents identified poor road access, inadequate water supply, lack of electricity and streetlights as other major challenges facing the community. They said residents depend on seasonal wells that can dry up during the dry season and called for the provision of a solar-powered borehole.
Despite the range of challenges, the rehabilitation of Kakaraji Primary School emerged as the community's most urgent priority during the May 14 meeting.
Residents are calling on government authorities, elected representatives and other relevant stakeholders to provide a permanent school building and restore adequate teaching personnel to the community.
The community says addressing the school’s condition would help provide a safer learning environment and reduce the risk of children abandoning their education.
For the pupils of Kakaraji, the immediate priority remains straightforward: access to a safe classroom, qualified teachers and an environment conducive to learning.
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Education