Classroom in commotion: Inside Ogun primary school where pupils struggle to learn in overcrowded hall  

By Damilare Adeleye 

Pupils of Nawarudeen Primary School, Isale-Ijeun, in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State, are facing harsh, distressing, and dehumanising learning conditions following the dilapidation of the school’s buildings, the Lagos Voice report.

Findings revealed that the school structures are extremely old and unsafe, with visibly cracked walls, broken sections, and severely damaged ceilings, all of which raise serious concerns that the buildings could collapse at any moment.

It was gathered that due to the deteriorating condition of the classrooms, the pupils, who were evacuated from the crumbling school buildings for over a year, are being temporarily accommodated in a privately-owned Nawarudeen Society Hall, which is located beside the school premises.

However, the relocation has offered little to no succour because all the students from Primary 1 to 6 are crammed into a single space, making learning extremely difficult and, sometimes, practically impossible. Findings further revealed that the hall was partitioned into makeshift classrooms without any physical boundaries, resulting in commotion and chaos whenever lessons are conducted simultaneously.

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It was further gathered that while Nawarudeen Primary School (NUD) remains the only public primary school serving Ijeun Ward 10 in Abeokuta South, many parents have expressed frustration over what they described as prolonged government neglect of the school, despite its critical importance to the community.

One of the parents, Mr. Adedapo Olumuyiwa, who has his five children enrolled in the school, lamented that the buildings have long been overdue for renovation but continue to suffer government neglect.

“During several PTA meetings, we have complained about the situation of school that we are not happy about it. In his Abeokuta, we observe that is no other primary school worse than NUD Isale Ijeun. We are currently pleading for urgent renovation or reconstruction of the school. We heard that there were plans by the government to renovate it , we are still expecting that to happen,” he told this reporter.

He further recounted that the school has existed for over a century, stressing that such a historic institution should not be left to decay.

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“This school is over 100 years old because we have some elders of that age who confirmed that they attended the school. Now, considering the cracked walls, compounded with our fears, all the parents agreed that the students be relocated to NUD society hall. And that is not really better because of noise coming from different classes. The government should be aware of our plight,” he added.

Another parent, Mrs. Kabirat Shobade, who is also a member of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), described the learning environment as highly unpalatable, explaining that the decision to relocate the pupils was driven purely by safety concerns.

“I have two children in this school. One is five years old, the other is two years of age. I must say the teachers the pupils at their best. But it is just that the environment is not really conducive. If not that I’m part of the PTA Exco, I would have withdrawn my children from the school. Even that, this is this only school in this ward 10. We have been calling on the government for renovation even before I joined the PTA Exco.

“The main school structure are very weak and cracked, the celling is also bad, you also can check everywhere. We were afraid and praying that may the school not collapse on the children. That was why we approached the Nawarudeen Society to let us their hall to temporarily house the children for safety. And they granted us our request. From one to six classes, we just use the blackboard to divide the hall into different classes. Some parents have been withdrawing their wards because obviously the class is too small for pupils,” Mrs. Shobade remarked.

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She also recalled that the NUD Primary School building once served as a venue for political meetings, noting that its current condition has rendered it unusable even for such purposes.

“So we are begging the government to show mercy on the children. The school building used to be where some party members hold political meeting, but due to the state of the building, no meeting is held there again because, the structure can collapse any time,” she added.

An elder in the community, Mr. Salami Abdulganiu, further lamented that the hall currently housing the pupils lacks basic facilities necessary for a healthy school environment.

“The children do not have access to any facilities. The toilet we had just collapsed. Even a borehole water that was constructed recently is no longer working. It was barely three months that it was constructed. Even the head teacher does not have any office, She is also staying in the same hall with the students and other teachers.”

He added that pupils are often forced outside due to poor ventilation inside the overcrowded hall.

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“There is no conducive atmosphere for students to learn. You know there will be heat, the children are just put in that place. Learning is not fully effective though the teachers are doing their best. Sometimes, we come to the school to advise the teachers to allow the pupils go outside to receive fresh air, the school building is however a no-go area. We really need urgent attention on the school, we are pleading,” he said.

When approached, the school’s PTA chairperson, Iyaafin Owobadejo Atinuke, recounted several attempts made by the association to facilitate the reconstruction of the school.

“Our former chairman tried so much over the school when he was alive,” she said, noting that the efforts predated her tenure.

She continued, “And there was a time about six years ago when some officials came to remove the roof of the school. They just suddenly called that they would come the following day for renovation. We were very happy about it. Unfortunately, barely a week later, they came back that the renovation has been cancelled. They returned the broken roof. We were all left disappointed especially especially Mrs Odusanya who was the head teacher of school then. The current head teacher has also been making efforts, but the help is coming through.”

Mrs. Atinuke commended the resilience of the teachers, who continue to work under extremely challenging conditions.

“The hall is not actually conducive because the students were put together in a particular place. It is not spacious for them. Though the teachers are doing their best, showing care to the students. The teacher divided the hall to different classes to teach the pupils. We, the PTA committee also appreciate them for their resolute regardless,” she added.

Staff members, including the head teacher of the school, declined to speak with our reporter, citing civil service rules. Similarly, efforts to reach the Executive Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

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Meanwhile, a lecturer at the Faculty of Education, Lagos State University (LASU), Rashidat Olamidayo Ajakaye, described the situation as highly unsuitable for effective teaching and learning, stressing that multiple classes within one confined space is educationally detrimental.

“A functional classroom is expected to meet core standards that ensure physical safety, psychological support, instructional structure, and cognitive enablement. Relocating pupils of different grade levels into a single, aging hall filled beyond its capacity violates these fundamental principles. The situation results in overcrowding, excessive noise, restricted movement, and constant distraction, all of which severely undermine individualized instruction and meaningful learning,” she pinpointed.

“Although the school management may perceive this relocation as a necessary measure to protect pupils from the dangers posed by a dilapidated building, the decision has inadvertently created an acute educational crisis, compromising both instructional quality and learner development,” she added.

Speaking further on the impact of poor learning environments, the educationist explained that such conditions affect pupils across cognitive, academic, psychological, emotional, behavioural, and social dimensions which can also vary among learners within the same class.

In her words: “In many instances, pupils experience cognitive overload and loss of concentration due to overlapping voices and constant noise, while psychological confusion and mental fatigue further impair effective learning. Timid and slow learners are particularly vulnerable, as they are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, and frustration, which may lead to withdrawal and diminished participation. Conversely, more intellectually advanced or outspoken learners may begin to disrupt other lessons, either by responding to questions meant for different classes or by correcting peers across grade levels, thereby intensifying classroom disorder. This situation often escalates into undisciplined behaviour and interpersonal conflicts among pupils.”

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She further warned that the congested setting could significantly pose health and safety risks, “including the rapid transmission of communicable diseases and a higher likelihood of physical injuries resulting from overcrowding.”

While suggesting temporary coping strategies for teachers, Ajakaye stressed that such measures should not replace the urgent need for a proper learning environment.

“One practical approach is the reduction of simultaneous teaching, whereby only selected classes that are not adjacent in grade level—for example, Classes 1, 3, 5, and 7—are taught at a given time, while Classes 2, 4, 6, and 8 engage in quiet, structured activities such as mental drills, silent reading, or problem-solving exercises.

“Subjects such as music may be relocated to outdoor spaces within the school compound, preferably under shaded areas, to minimize noise interference. Similarly, storytelling and social studies lessons can be effectively conducted outdoors, after which pupils may return indoors to copy essential notes from the board. Classroom discipline should be maintained through highly structured instructional methods delivered in low voices, as shouting not only heightens chaos but also distracts learners in neighbouring groups. Teachers are therefore encouraged to minimize verbal noise and rely more on visual aids, including charts, written lesson outlines, board work, and hand signals,” she advised.

Maintaining that Nigeria’s education sector is already grappling with multiple challenges, the LASU lecturer urged the government to act without further delay.

“In the medium term, there should be urgent rehabilitation of the school building, supported by safety audits that will gradually ensure structural int egrity, proper ventilation, and adequate classroom furniture,” she said.