Renovation: FCT schools struggle for space as students resume

Students of public primary and secondary schools in the FCT resumed for the second term on Monday, January 5, 2026, amid ongoing rehabilitation and expansion projects in some of the schools.

Abuja Metro reports an impressive turnout of students in most schools visited, particularly in boarding facilities.

However, the resumption came at a time when many schools are undergoing construction, forcing school authorities to adopt creative strategies to accommodate students within available buildings.

Space management, hybrid learning

At the Government Day Secondary School (GSS), Kubwa, students have been divided into morning and afternoon sessions because nearly half of the classrooms are under renovation. Under the arrangement, SS1 students attend classes from 8am to 1pm, while SS2 and SS3 students attend from 1pm to 4:30pm.

Teachers informed our reporter that online classes and hybrid learning models had been adopted to bridge the gap created by the classroom shortage.

Similarly, at the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Dutse, a boarding school, authorities have converted some classrooms into temporary dormitories as the majority of the hostels are undergoing rehabilitation.

Parents said they were invited to an emergency PTA meeting last Sunday, where the school’s management pleaded for their understanding regarding the temporary accommodations to avoid interrupting the academic calendar.

The rehabilitation delays have also hit Kubwa III Model Primary School and its secondary section, where almost all classrooms have been shut down.

Contractors halt work over funding

The renovation projects, originally billed for completion within three months, have stalled in some schools.

A contractor, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that the FCT authorities were yet to release further payments following the initial 15 per cent mobilisation fee.

He said, “In our case, we have executed about 45 per cent of the project despite receiving only 15 per cent.

“But we cannot continue until more funds are released as promised.”

Parents demand

urgent action

Parents have expressed concern, lamenting that the current environment was not conducive for learning.

Alhaji Aliyu Garba, the Barden Bwari and Vice Chairman of a School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) in the FCT, criticised the projects’ management.

He urged the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education and the UBEB Secretary to visit the affected schools to strategise on better ways to handle the rehabilitation without displacing students.

Another parent, Samuel Moses, argued that the contract should have been executed in phases.

He suggested starting with new expansion projects and then moving on to those involving rehabilitation.

He said, “In such circumstances, students could be relocated to the newly completed buildings while the ones they currently occupy are being rehabilitated. But what we are witnessing is tampering with existing structures and embarking on new ones at the same time.

“Furthermore, the projects were halted throughout the holiday period because contract funds were not released.”

FCTA official applauds resumption

During a routine inspection on Monday, Mrs. Joy Okeke, Permanent Secretary of the FCTA Education Secretariat, praised the “massive” turnout of students.

Speaking on behalf of Dr. Danlami Hayyo, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Mrs. Okeke said, “The turnout is very impressive; it shows that the children are ready to learn.”

However, she did not speak on the disruptions caused by the ongoing renovations and the funding challenges cited by contractors.

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