Inside Raya, a Kano primary school where pupils learn under trees for over 20 years

By Salisu Hamisu Ali

The once beautiful, serene and standard learning environment in Raya village, Tudunwada Local Government has become a shadow of its former self.

Since inception more than five decades ago, Raya Primary School, located about 20 kilometers from the Tudunwada town, had never witnessed renovation despite the decay of its structures, which gradually collapsed like a bulldozed building.

The sorry state of the primary school, the first and the only in the community of about 5,000 population indicates how education is decayed in Kano state, second most populous state in Nigeria.

Raya primary school, located at Burumburum ward, had become the learning center where residents of the town begin their education career.

During a visit to the school, our reporter observed that, previously, it used to have some classes with furniture where pupils learn under conducive atmosphere, but now, the buildings have rotten away, forcing the pupils to take lesson under trees.

Sighting the school from a far, one would think it is a bush because it has never had a perimeter fence, let alone have gate to make it look like a standard school.

Coming closer, one one would see nothing but demolished classes and a bunch of trees with makeshift blackboards leaning against them, signifying that the students are taking lessons under them.

The only classroom that stands tall had been rendered inhabitable without roofing, doors and desks, turning it to be a hub of reptiles and a chamber of open defecation.

Some residents of the village expressed their displeasure over the condition of the school, describing how the neglect affected their livelihood.

A resident, who requested anonymity, said the community had been appealing to the government to renovate the school for over 20 years but to no avail.

“Since 2002, this school has needed roofing . For 22 years now, the school has remained without a roof. It is the only school we have here in Raya, located in Baburi ward, Tudun Wada LGA,” he said.

“As a community, we are in despair because this is the only school we rely on. We plead with the authorities to assist us in renovating it.”

Another resident of Raya also explained that all efforts to have the school rehabilitated had yielded no results.

“We have made several complaints through the councilor, but we are not even allowed to meet the local government chairman,” he said.

A resident of the town, Sabi’u Raya, said their community does not benefit from development projects at any level of government despite its large population.

“Our town is even bigger and more populated than Burinburin, which is the electoral ward we belong to, yet we gain nothing from the government.”

“I attended this school and completed my NCE here, but look at the poor state of the school. We, the residents, are the ones supporting the students with teaching due to the shortage of teachers.”

The town of Raya is not only grappling with the lack of school maintenance; the community also suffers from inadequate electricity supply and poor roads.

This is coming some months ago when the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf declared a state-of-emergency on education, promising to fix all the challenges in the sector, including schools renovation provision of furniture and construction of classroom blocks.

What Are the Authorities Doing About the School’s Challenges?

Since the residents claimed they had lodged complaints with Tudun Wada Local Government regarding the school, our correspondent attempts to contact the local government Chairman were unsuccessful.

When our reporter spoke to a close aide of the Chairman, he claimed to be unaware of the school’s condition but promised to inform her and provide feedback on the council’s plan of action.

However, as of the time of filing this report, no response had been received from the local government authorities.

Similarly, the member representing Tudun Wada and Doguwa Federal Constituency, Alhassan Ado, did not respond to a text message sent to him regarding the issue.

Raya village in Burinburin ward, Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano State, has become a community neglected from all social amenities.

Despite its large population, residents of Raya have lost hope of receiving basic developmental amenities, including roads, schools, and access to clean water.