A civic technology platform, Monitng, has sounded the alarm over the appalling state of infrastructure at LGEA Primary School Olegodege in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, revealing that pupils are being forced to learn in classrooms that are quite literally on the brink of collapse.
In a scathing report released on Saturday via its official X handle (formerly Twitter), Monitng painted a vivid picture of the dire conditions at the public primary school, where over 56 children are packed into what can best be described as unsafe sheds — makeshift structures patched together with palm tree branches, rusted metal sheets, and weak wooden poles. The floors are bare earth, the walls are crumbling, and there are no desks or chairs for the children to sit on.
“When it rains, learning stops. When the sun blazes, the pupils endure the scorching heat with no form of shelter,” Monitng wrote. “Despite these unbearable conditions, these children return daily, hoping for an education.”
The group described its recent visit to the school as emotionally overwhelming, saying it witnessed firsthand the level of systemic neglect that has plagued the community for years. “The classrooms are literally falling apart—supported only by wooden poles and palm tree branches for roofing,” the statement continued. “When it rains, the children run for cover. When the sun scorches, they sit under it. Yet, these children show up, hoping to be taught. Hoping for change.”
Monitng pointed fingers at successive administrations in Benue State for what it described as a betrayal of the children’s right to education, arguing that the deplorable state of the school reflects a broader crisis affecting the education sector in the state.
“This level of neglect is not accidental—it’s systemic. Despite billions of naira budgeted for education annually, past and present governments have failed these children. Their learning spaces have become symbols of abandonment,” the statement read.
According to the platform, the consequences of this negligence are already becoming evident, with rising school dropout rates not driven by lack of interest, but by lack of infrastructure and a conducive environment to learn. “What’s happening in Olegodege is a reflection of the wider crisis in Benue State. Across the state, schools are crumbling. Pupils are dropping out not because they’re lazy, but because their schools are unfit for human use. This is why the number of out-of-school children keeps rising.”
The platform further criticized what it described as a disconnect between budgetary provisions and on-ground realities, questioning how such appalling conditions persist despite the availability of funds.
In its concluding appeal, Monitng called on the Benue State Government to urgently intervene, not just in Olegodege but across the state, to rebuild schools and restore hope to the next generation. “We call on the @benuestategovt to wake up to this tragedy. Rebuild these schools. Provide desks, materials, and safe classrooms. Education is not a favour, it’s a right. And the children of Benue deserve it now.”
As the report garners public attention, education advocates and civil society groups have begun echoing similar concerns, calling for a state-wide audit of public primary and secondary schools in Benue and immediate action to address the decay.
Attempts to reach the Benue State Ministry of Education for a response were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. However, pressure is mounting on the state government to act swiftly, with citizens and rights groups demanding accountability and long-term solutions to what has become a shameful indictment of public sector failure.
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