By Funmilayo Adeyemi
The Principal of Junior Secondary School (JSS) Baupma, Dutse, Mr Sikiru Akeem, has appealed to government, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the school with teachers, infrastructure and learning facilities as enrolment continues to rise.
Akeem made the appeal in Abuja on Tuesday at the school’s first graduation ceremony for its pioneer students.
He said the school, established on Oct. 23, 2023, had recorded notable academic and sporting achievements in spite of inadequate facilities and manpower.
According to him, the school faces a shortage of teachers, poor security due to an incomplete perimeter fence and illegal shanties surrounding the premises.
He added that the lack of electricity, water supply and adequate classroom furniture had continued to affect teaching and learning.
The principal also appealed for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to help students acquire digital skills.
“We are requesting support from well-meaning individuals, organisations and donors to provide ICT gadgets that will enable our students to become ICT compliant.
“We are also in need of chairs and tables for students and teachers,” he said.
Akeem said the school ranked among the top 10 in a competition involving 208 junior secondary schools across northern Nigeria.
He added that the school won the Pa Alfred Shonubi Annual Quiz Competition on Spoken Word, the Battle Axe Young Stars Quiz Competition and the 100-metre race.
The school also placed third in the 4×100-metre relay organised by the National Association of Women in Sports.
He said three students qualified for the final stage of the FCT Minister’s Sports Festival, while 25 students were inaugurated as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Certified Naira Ambassadors.
Akeem acknowledged support from the George Richard Foundation, Rotary Club Foundation, Istanbul Quarry Company, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and D’virteous Foundation.
He commended the Church for constructing six classrooms, administrative offices, toilets, a solar power system, a borehole and providing furniture for staff and students.
He expressed optimism that increased government and private sector support would enable the school to sustain its academic and sporting successes.
The Executive Chairman of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Dr Hassan Sule, represented by the board’s Agric Desk Officer, Dr Wilfred Samson, congratulated the graduating students.
He urged them to remain disciplined, hardworking and committed to excellence as they advanced in their education.
Also speaking, a representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mrs Eno Mbaba, said the intervention followed an assessment of the school’s poor learning conditions.
Mbaba said the project, which began in April, includes six classrooms, administrative offices, toilets, furniture, solar power and a borehole, and is expected to be completed in September.
She urged more individuals, organisations and philanthropists to support schools in underserved communities, saying quality education required collective effort.
The school’s Head Boy, Abdulrahman Folorunsho, thanked the donors and appealed to the government to provide additional facilities to improve the learning environment. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Tosin Kolade