When Schools Break, Futures Shatter: The Crisis No One Talks About in Bokkos -By Naomi Solomon Maiku

In Bokkos Local Government of Plateau State, education should be a beacon of hope for children. But for many students here, that hope is fading fast. Schools are overcrowded, classrooms are crumbling, and learning materials are scarce. In some public schools, a single classroom meant for 30 children often holds 60 or more, making it almost impossible for teachers to give proper attention to every student.

Teachers in Bokkos face enormous challenges. Many are underpaid, lack proper training, and struggle to manage classrooms with broken desks, missing textbooks, and unreliable electricity. Some students walk for miles just to reach school, only to find that there aren’t enough teachers or lessons for them.

Adding to these struggles is the growing insecurity in the region. Kidnappings, communal clashes, and armed banditry have created a climate of fear. Many children are afraid to go to school, especially those living in remote villages. Some schools have temporarily shut down due to security threats, leaving students without any access to education for weeks at a time. Parents, fearing for their children’s safety, are sometimes forced to keep them at home, further derailing their learning.

The consequences are devastating. Children are dropping out in alarming numbers. Many are forced to help their families with farming or petty trading, while others are vulnerable to negative influences, including crime and early marriage. The dreams of becoming doctors, engineers, or teachers remain distant for countless children in the area.

Parents in Bokkos are increasingly worried. Even when schools are open, I am afraid to let my children go alone, says Janet Mafulul, a concerned parent,They need safety as much as they need teachers and books. Without security, their future is uncertain.

Experts warn that if nothing changes, the impact on Bokkos and Nigeria as a whole will be severe. A generation denied quality education today, coupled with the threat of violence, means fewer skilled workers, slower development, and widening inequality tomorrow.

The crisis in Bokkos is a harsh reminder that education and security are deeply linked. When schools break and safety is threatened, futures shatter. Urgent action is needed from better funding, more teachers, and safer schools to community protection before more dreams are lost.