Katsina: Coalition Laments Dearth of Schools’ Infrastructure

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

A coalition of civil society organisations in Katsina State has lamented the state of primary and secondary schools’ infrastructure in the state, saying most pupils and students learn on bare floor.

The coalition also admonished the state government to commence the registration and payment of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) fees for secondary school students in the state as well as improve welfare package for teachers.

Briefing journalists in Katsina on Tuesday, the chairman of the coalition, Muhammad Usman Ruwangodiya, said: “There is still dearth of infrastructural facilities at our primary and secondary schools such as desks as majority of pupils and students still learn on bare floor.”

Ruwangodiya however applauded the state government for the recruitment of additional teachers in all schools, upgrading and renovation of some schools across the state, deployment of qualified local council personnel to classes, increased budgetary allocation to the sector up to 19 per cent, among others.

On health, the chairman of the coalition lamented what he described as “dearth of human resources for health at the primary health care level, unavailability of drugs at the PHC level, non-regularisation of appointments of casual workers as promised during electioneering.

“Inadequate beddings at both primary and secondary healthcare facilities, abolishing of full shifting in majority of the health facilities at the primary level which makes it difficult for most of the people living in the rural areas to access health care after 2pm and on weekends,” he added.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the protection of lives and properties of the citizens by coming up with more aggressive measures in combating kidnappings and mass killings in some parts of the country.

While appreciating the effort of the president for recording significant achievement in the area of security, especially in the fight against insurgency, Ruwangodiya said Buhari has demonstrated a remarkable effort in fighting corruption, promotion of non oil sector of the economy especially agricultural development.