By Abe Zwànke, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Government has dismissed a media report alleging that pupils in public primary schools across the state are learning on bare floors, calling it “false and misleading.”
The report, published in *Daily Trust* on Thursday, December 26, 2024, claimed that public primary schools in Nasarawa State suffer from poor infrastructure despite substantial financial allocations to the education sector. It also recalled a visit to TA’AL Modern Nursery and Primary School in Lafia last year, where 90% of pupils were allegedly seen sitting on bare floors during lessons.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Hon. Peter Ahemba, described the publication as “a gross misrepresentation of facts” and “a sponsored mischief aimed at tarnishing the image of the government.”
Hon. Ahemba acknowledged that while some schools face infrastructural challenges, the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule has made significant progress in improving learning conditions across the state.
“The Engr. Sule-led government has undertaken extensive construction and renovation of classrooms, distributed thousands of desks and chairs, and provided other essential materials to public primary schools,” Ahemba said.
He also highlighted ongoing initiatives to enhance school facilities, including perimeter fencing, boreholes, geophysical surveys, and landscaping, all aimed at creating a more conducive learning environment.
The governor’s aide criticized the publication for failing to verify its claims and urged journalists to cross-check their sources before publishing. “We call on journalists to always verify and cross-check their sources of information through official channels to avoid dishing out misleading information,” he added.
The state government reiterated its dedication to raising education standards through investments in staff training, periodic recruitment of teachers, and timely payment of salaries and entitlements.
Hon. Ahemba called on members of the public to disregard the report, affirming the government’s commitment to addressing infrastructural gaps and enhancing the quality of education in Nasarawa State.
