By Ben T. C. Brooke
More than 300 pupils attending Depecpo Public School in Deabo Parken, River Gee County, are being educated under unsafe and deteriorating conditions.
In an interview with Verity News, the school’s principal, Daniel Copeland, disclosed that the institution is severely constrained by a lack of classrooms, desks, and administrative offices to adequately support its growing enrollment.
He explained that the shortage of space has resulted in overcrowded classrooms and an environment that poses risks to effective teaching and learning.
Established in 1972, Depecpo Public School was originally constructed through community self-help initiatives. Since then, residents have repeatedly mobilized to repair the structure whenever damages occurred.
However, Principal Copeland said the current level of deterioration has exceeded the community’s capacity to respond.
“The people have done all they can. The building is badly damaged, and the community can no longer continue with self-renovation,” Copeland said.
Due to limited space, the school administration has been compelled to erect a temporary structure to serve as offices for teachers, the registrar, and the principal-further highlighting the urgent need for a permanent solution.
The infrastructure crisis is compounded by staffing shortages. The school currently has only two government-paid teachers, supported by five volunteer instructors.
As a result, Principal Copeland has appealed to the Ministry of Education to assign additional teachers to the government payroll to ensure effective instruction within the district.
Amid these challenges, a glimmer of hope has emerged for pupils and residents of Deabo Chiefdom.
Copeland revealed that the Kuncare Foundation, owned by Cllr. Kunkunyon Teh, has committed to constructing a modern school facility to replace the unsafe structure and eliminate the risks facing pupils.
