Damaged Roof Disrupts Learning for Over 400 Pupils in Pujehun
More than 400 pupils at National Islamic Mission (NIM) Primary School in Sahn Malen, Pujehun District, are reportedly facing difficult learning conditions due to severe damage to the school’s roof and ceiling.
The government-assisted and approved school, which has one of the larger pupil populations in Malen Chiefdom, is experiencing significant deterioration of sections of its roofing and ceiling, leaving some classrooms exposed to heavy rainfall.
According to the school authorities, rainwater enters some classrooms during heavy downpours, forcing teachers and pupils to use containers to collect leaking water and protect learning materials from damage.
Head Teacher Joseph Saffa said the situation is affecting the learning environment while also raising concerns about the safety and wellbeing of pupils and teachers.
Saffa explained that the school receives about NLe2,000 in school-fee subsidy, which is mainly used to produce pupils’ report cards and carry out minor repairs to desks and benches.
He said the subsidy is insufficient to fund major rehabilitation work, particularly the replacement of the damaged roofing.
Despite the challenges, the school administration expressed appreciation to the Government, development partners and private-sector institutions, including Socfin, for their support to pupils and teachers over the years.
However, the administration is appealing for urgent assistance from the Government, humanitarian organisations, development partners, private companies, philanthropists and other well-wishers to rehabilitate the school.
The school identified zinc or iron roofing sheets, cement, timber and other construction materials among the items urgently needed to replace the damaged roof and undertake essential repairs.
The administration said restoring the school’s classrooms would provide the more than 400 pupils with a safer and more conducive environment for learning, particularly as the rainy season continues.
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