As schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) prepare for the 2026/2027 academic calendar, parents have appealed to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to address infrastructural shortages in schools.

They also appealed to the minister for help, saying rising costs of school supplies and delays in delivering textbooks and uniforms were placing additional financial strain on them.

The parents spoke in separate interviews on Monday in Abuja.

A parent, Olurotimi Lawrence, at the Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, called on the minister to urgently address the acute shortage of student accommodation and infrastructure in the school.

According to him, information available indicates that the existing beds, bunks, and physical space in the school’s hostels are insufficient to accommodate the student population comfortably.

He urged the FCT minister to intervene and provide the necessary facilities to ensure a conducive learning environment.

“I want to appeal to our honourable Minister of FCT to please look into it and make the necessary intervention so that there will be enough bunks and space for all students to stay and face their studies squarely,” Mr Lawrence said.

Sharing his observations on resumption day, he commended the school atmosphere, noting that many parents had brought their children early.

On student discipline and bullying in schools, Mr Lawrence stressed that addressing the menace requires a collaborative effort between parents and school authorities.

He urged parents to instil discipline in their children from home, while advising school management to enforce strict disciplinary measures against offending students.

“It is both ways. Parents must make sure they instil discipline in their wards so they don’t go to school to bully others.

“On their part, teachers should deal severely with any student found engaging in bullying to serve as a deterrent to others,” he added.

Also, Hauwa Sani, a parent, said the cost of preparing her child for resumption had increased significantly, with school fees previously fixed at N3,000 now reaching N7,000.

Ms Sani said parents sometimes paid for school supplies but did not receive the full items.

‎“I cannot really quantify what I spent on her resumption because the prices of things have skyrocketed.

“You pay for two pairs and get one pair. As for textbooks, the only ones the school provides now are Civic Education and Mathematics.

‎“For others that we paid for, we were told what we paid is not enough to supply all the books. You just have to try to get materials for your child on your own,” she said.

‎Another parent, who preferred anonymity, said she visited the Government Secondary School (GSS I Garki) to enquire about her ward’s admission into junior secondary school (JSS) 1 but was asked to return in two weeks because the admission list had not been released.

‎She, however, said she was ready to provide the materials needed for her ward to resume.

On school preparedness, Sadiq Ayodele, principal of GSS Garki, said preparations had reached 90 per cent before resumption.

‎“We held the resumption meeting for staff last Wednesday, and we did fumigation of the school on Saturday before last. All of them are prepared,” Mr Ayodele said.

‎Mr Ayodele added that academic activities would commence immediately to maximise instructional time.

‎Also, Taiwo Ajadi, the school’s vice principal (Academic), said teachers had completed their lesson plans for the three terms.

“For us in this school, we are more than ready to kick-start academic activities.

‎“Teachers are ready. Their schemes for the first term, second term, and third term are ready,” she said.

‎Ms Ajadi urged parents to ensure that their children arrive at school promptly, noting that punctuality contributes to discipline and academic performance.

A teacher at the Jewels Leading Lights Academy, Gwarinpa, Victoria Onyemachi, said teachers were ready to begin lessons and guide students toward achieving their academic goals during the new session.

‎“We are happy to welcome the students back. We have prepared our lesson plans and are ready to commence teaching.

‎“We also want the students to understand that a new session comes with new responsibilities. They need to be focused, punctual and committed to their studies,” she said.

‎Returning students also expressed enthusiasm and determination to achieve their academic goals.

‎Speaking with a few students on resumption, Chidebere Okoro, a GSS Garki student aspiring to study law, said he was prepared to resume early to focus on English, literature and government.

‎“I feel very prepared for it. I feel like this time I am resuming early, and everything is going to be perfect,” Mr Okoro said.

‎Amalia Roland, a 15-year-old SS2 student, said she intended to take her academics more seriously.

‎“I want to be more serious with my academics than anything because I want to be able to achieve something in life,” Ms Roland said.

(NAN)