The Decline of Yobe State University Staff School
The Yobe State University Staff School, once a beacon of educational opportunity for university staff and surrounding communities, has fallen into severe disrepair. Stakeholders and members of the academic community have raised serious concerns about its current condition, which has deteriorated significantly over the years.
Established in 2006 by the former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Musa Alabi, the school was initially designed to provide quality education for the children of university staff and nearby residents. It was supported by the Community Social Development Program under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the World Bank contributing 90% of the funding. The local communities provided the remaining 10% as a counterpart contribution. This initiative aimed to bring education closer to the people living near the university campus, fulfilling a key part of the institution’s social corporate responsibility.
Over time, however, the school has become a shadow of its former self. Communities such as Kasisa village, the Yobe Broadcasting Corporation, the Mobile Police barracks, and other nearby settlements once benefited from the presence of the school. But today, it is in a state of neglect, with no active learning taking place within its premises.
A university source revealed that past attempts to revive the school were met with limited success. Efforts were made to engage the then Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mala Mohammed Daura, who acknowledged the school’s non-operational status due to a lack of necessary structures and an environment that did not encourage staff to reside on campus. A committee was formed to assess the situation but failed to deliver any meaningful results.
Residents like Umar Geidam emphasized that a university should establish a staff school to support the education of its staff and the surrounding communities. He pointed out that when the university first opened, there was no staff school nearby, and it took months before one was established. Geidam urged the university and local communities to collaborate to reopen the school, highlighting its importance as a social responsibility.
Challenges and Suggestions for Revival
Despite the challenges, several suggestions have been made to revive the school. These include offering permanent and pensionable appointments to temporary teachers to ensure their continued presence. Additionally, the university management has been advised to work closely with the Yobe State Universal Education Board to explore potential support for the staff school.
The current administration of Yobe State University, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Bukar Jamri, has the opportunity to restore the school to its former glory. Stakeholders believe that this can be achieved through concrete measures that ensure the school becomes operational again, benefiting both the university community and the surrounding areas.
However, the success of this endeavor will depend largely on the administration’s commitment to addressing the school’s challenges. Reports indicate that nearly all facilities are in various stages of disrepair, and the only signs of activity are two pupils wearing uniforms, along with the head teacher and a few cleaners.
The school, which originally consisted of two blocks with three compartments each and a VIP toilet, was funded through a joint effort by the UNDP and three local communities. It was envisioned as a seamless educational pathway from nursery to secondary school, leading into university programs.
The Need for Immediate Action
An anonymous source from the school management stated that most parents have moved their children to other schools, leaving the staff school with minimal student enrollment. Despite efforts to maintain the environment, there are no signs of an active school session during visits.
Additionally, all staff members, including the head teacher and cleaners, are on temporary appointments, waiting for permanent positions. One staff member recalled that the school once had a good number of pupils, permanent staff, and was well-equipped with electricity and water supply, making it one of the best schools at the time.
With the university growing into a reputable institution offering various undergraduate and postgraduate programs, the need to restore the staff school has never been more urgent. The current administration must take decisive steps to ensure that the school regains its former functionality and serves the needs of the university community and surrounding areas.
