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Moyo pupils, teachers learn in fear over dilapidated structures
The headteacher of Kolokolo Primary School, Ms Gladys Oaikane, shows a collapsed ceiling at the staff quarters on July 22, 2024. PHOTO/SCOVIN ICETA
The administration at Afoji and Kolokolo primary schools in Moyo Sub-county, Moyo District, have expressed concern over dilapidated classrooms, staff quarters and pit latrines.
On July 22, some of the ceilings in the staff quarters at Afoji Primary School collapsed, raising concern among the administration that the pit latrines at the two schools, which have developed huge cracks, may cave in.
The head teacher of Afoji Primary School, Ms Josephine Madraa, said the state of the latrine in the boys’ section is worrying.
“The block for the latrine has developed huge cracks and we are scared that it could collapse on pupils. With heavy rain in August or September, the condition of this latrine may worsen. We may end up closing the school because of the poor state of latrines,” Ms Madraa said on Monday.
The senior woman teacher, at Afoji Primary School, Ms Vicky Adiru, acknowledged that the situation is worrying.
“We are financially handicapped to construct another latrine. The school tried to raise the issues with leaders several times but up to now, there have been no answers,” she said.
The head teacher of Kolokolo Primary School, Ms Gladys Oaikane, said their biggest concern is the staff houses, which are in a sorry state.
“We are in a crisis because we only have four units. The block is built under DRDIP and it is supposed to accommodate two teachers but there are already six teachers sharing rooms,” she said.
According to Ms Oaikane, the first block built at the school was constructed under the European Union Development Fund (EDF) but its roof was destroyed by the wind in 2011 and later renovated in 2017. But she said the ceiling is now collapsing.
The councillor representing Moyo Sub-county, Mr Emmanuel Bada, said the district education department should seek intervention from the Ministry of Education and Sports.
“We need to write to them highlighting the issues and if the need arises, the school should be temporarily closed to avoid children falling in the pit,” Mr Bada said.
