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The School for the Deaf and Dumb under the Benue State Rehabilitation Board in Apir, Makurdi, has stayed closed since the start of the current school term, leaving vulnerable children stranded at home and unable to access education due to a critical shortage of food supplies. The institution, which caters specifically to students with hearing and speech disabilities, has been unable to reopen because the state government has failed to release funds for feeding the pupils, according to multiple reports.
Parents and guardians are growing increasingly worried about the prolonged disruption to their children’s learning. Many of these students come from low-income families and rely entirely on the school not just for education but also for daily meals and a structured environment tailored to their needs. The ongoing closure has heightened concerns over the well-being and academic progress of these young learners.
This situation underscores broader challenges facing special education in Benue State, where institutions depend heavily on government funding for essentials like food, teaching materials, and infrastructure maintenance. Without timely support, the most vulnerable students bear the brunt of administrative delays and budgetary shortfalls.
Stakeholders, including community leaders and advocacy groups, are now urging Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue State Ministry of Education to act swiftly. They are calling for the immediate release of funds to procure food supplies and reopen the school, emphasizing that these children deserve a safe, supportive, and consistent learning environment.
Asom D. Jerry, a Benue indigene, highlighted the urgency in a public appeal, stressing that no child should be denied education because of hunger. The call for intervention grows louder as the term progresses, with hopes that the state government will prioritize the needs of these special students and restore normalcy to the school without further delay.
