Over 400 Students take lesson from the floor

About 400 students within the government run Public Elementary School in Worr Administrative District, District # 1, Grand Bassa County are currently taking lessons on the floor.

The situation is even worse for teachers who have to hang their bags on the wall because of the lack of desk. There are only three desks within the entire school. One is in use by the principal, another by his vice and the third by the registrar.

Speaking to this paper during a tour of the school recently in Jacob Lateh Town, Grand Bassa County, the Principal said that the school is a government’ owned but the authorities at the Education Ministry, despite the series of communication complaining about their plights have failed to respond to any of their letters.

Mr. David Barteh said the school has only ten arm chairs, which are exclusively being used by seniors students, while the rest have to bring chairs from their homes or take lessons while sitting on the floor. He says the school has only three desks. one for himself, and the remaining two are used by the vice principal and registrar while the rest of the teachers put their belongings on the floor or hang it on the wall of the school´s building.

‘We´re facing serious problem with the school. I think we have been abandoned by officials of the government especially the Education Ministry. This is unfortunate for our students who have the desire of acquiring quality education´, he said.

Mr. Barteh further narrated that out of the five teachers in the school, only two are on government´s payroll. The rest he said are compensated by dues collected from Parents Teachers Association, something he termed as little for the up keep of the instructors.

He said even the legislative caucus of the county is reneging in supporting the school for reasons best known them. He was, however, quick to point out that only the Deputy House Speaker who is the direct representative of the district has committed himself to providing about 100 arm chairs.

He said 80 of the chairs promised by Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue have already been completed and they are expected to be transported to the school anytime soon. In a related development, deputy speaker Barchue has committed himself to providing medical assistance to 18- year old Cynthia Tokpah who is suffering from breast cancer.

Miss Tokpah said since she gave birth to a baby boy about a month ago, her left breast has grown to an uncontrollable size. She said she continues to experience severe pain and with blood oozing it. Cynthia is expected to be brought to Monrovia this week to commence her treatment.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor-Edited by Othello B. Garblah