In the remote town of Zing Local Geovernment Area (LGA) in Taraba State, the story of Zensi Primary School is one that epitomises the systemic neglect that plagues Nigeria’s educational sector. Beneath a canopy of makeshift thatch and wooden poles, dozens of children sit on the ground, clutching their exercise books while a dedicated teacher scribbles lessons on a weather-beaten chalkboard. Despite their enthusiasm to learn, the children and their teacher are engulfed by the crushing weight of a system that appears to have abandoned them.

Zensi Primary School, like many rural schools in Nigeria, is a glaring symbol of institutional failure. The school lacks basic infrastructure – no classrooms, desks, or chairs – and relies on the resilience of its teachers and students.

The school teacher, Leseria Hassan Bitruss, revealed that she has not been paid for one year. “I still come because these children deserve to learn,” she said, her voice tinged with determination and frustration.

This is not an isolated case. In Zing LGA, where over 50% of the population relies on subsistence farming, education is often relegated to the background as families struggle to make ends meet. According to recent demographic data, about 14% of the population in the area has no formal education, with literacy levels hovering below the national average. Most families cannot afford private schools, leaving public institutions like Zensi Primary School as their only option.

Neglect and its Consequences

Nigeria’s annual education budget tells a story of misplaced priorities. Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria spends less than 10% of its national budget on education, far below the UNESCO-recommended 15-20%. The consequences are dire: collapsing infrastructure, unpaid teacher salaries, and a learning environment that conditions children to mediocrity from an early age.

For the children at Zensi  Primary School, the learning environment is more of a battle for survival than an academic pursuit. The absence of proper classrooms means lessons are interrupted by rain during the wet season and extreme heat during the dry season. Teaching materials are scarce, and the teachers are overburdened, often doubling as caretakers and counselors for children battling the effects of poverty.

The impact of such neglect on the children’s development is profound. Studies show that children who lack access to quality education in their formative years are more likely to drop out, perpetuating cycles of poverty. These children grow up conditioned to believe that mediocrity is the standard, limiting their potential and the nation’s future.

Political Apathy and the Road Ahead

The state of Zensi Primary School is a reflection of a broader issue: the lack of political will to address Nigeria’s educational crisis. While politicians parade during campaigns with promises of reforms, once elected, they often turn a blind eye to the plight of schools like Zensi Primary. The lack of oversight and accountability allows public funds meant for education to be mismanaged or diverted, leaving rural schools to crumble.

For the teacher who has not been paid in over a year, her resilience is inspiring, but it also raises a troubling question: How much longer can educators endure such neglect? Teachers are the backbone of any educational system, yet their welfare is routinely disregarded. Many are forced to take up side jobs to survive, further compromising the quality of education they can provide.

The government’s failure to pay salaries or equip schools with basic infrastructure reveals a deliberate conditioning of citizens to accept mediocrity. From childhood, many Nigerians are exposed to substandard systems, which they carry into adulthood, perpetuating a cycle of limited ambition and opportunities. This systematic neglect shapes a generation that is less equipped to demand better governance or aspire to excellence.

A Call to Action

The plight of Zenis Primary School and others like it should serve as a wake-up call. There is an urgent need for targeted investments in rural education, focusing on infrastructure, teacher welfare, and the provision of teaching materials. Policymakers must also prioritise rural schools in budgetary allocations, ensuring that funds reach the most vulnerable communities.

Additionally, the federal and state governments must establish mechanisms to hold local authorities accountable for the management of education funds. Teachers must be paid on time and supported with training and resources to improve the quality of instruction. Advocacy groups, civil society organisations, and the media also have a role to play in amplifying the voices of neglected communities and pushing for systemic reform.

The Future of Zing

For the children of Zensi Primary School, their dreams remain undeterred, even in the face of adversity. They deserve more than what the system currently offers. They deserve classrooms, books, and teachers who are respected and fairly compensated. Above all, they deserve a chance to rise above the mediocrity they are being conditioned to accept.

As Nigeria grapples with its education crisis, Zensi Primary School stands as both a reminder of the nation’s failures and a rallying cry for change. The time to act is now. If Nigeria is to unlock its potential and secure a brighter future, it must start by investing in its greatest resource – its children.

Let the story of Zensi Primary School be the beginning of a movement, not just another headline. Let it spark conversations, ignite reforms, and inspire action to rebuild the foundation of Nigeria’s education system, one school at a time.

By Greatson Odion