Pupils and teachers at Nawairudeen Primary School in Isale Ijeun, Abeokuta, Ogun State, have spent more than three years taking lessons inside a single rented hall following the demolition and deterioration of their classrooms.
The learning crisis has forced over 250 children from Primary One through Primary Six to squeeze into a facility owned by the Ansarudeen Islamic Society, according to Punch. What was initially planned as a quick, temporary arrangement to protect the children from collapsing structures has stretched out indefinitely due to unfinished reconstruction work.
Founded in 1925, the historic primary school previously functioned across four separate buildings. Today, it lacks a single standard classroom. Inside the crowded hall, teachers cope with extreme heat, poor airflow, and bad smells from the surroundings. To handle noise across all six classes, teachers now take turns, keeping certain groups quiet while others receive instruction.
The dire conditions have pushed many parents to pull their children out of the school. Student numbers have dropped sharply from over 500 pupils to around 250, with community members reporting that not a single new child registered for the current school year.
Parents and community leaders have raised serious concerns over the delay in rebuilding the institution. The Chairman of the Parents-Teachers Association, Mrs Abosede Awobadejo, described the environment as critical and urged the state government to step in promptly. She noted that while authorities began constructing three classrooms, the space remains inadequate for six distinct classes, and other demolished blocks have not been rebuilt.
Another PTA member, Mrs Kabirat Sobande, pointed out that Nawairudeen serves as the sole public primary school for Ward 10 in the area. She explained that the steady drop in attendance directly follows the move to the rented hall.
Beyond cramped spaces, basic sanitation is completely missing. School staff confirmed that the temporary site has no running water or functional toilet facilities, creating severe daily challenges for both the children and their teachers.
