DUUN TOWN, Kahnweh Clan, River Cess County – Residents of Duun Town in Kahnweh Clan have accused education authorities of abandoning Kahnweh Public School, as the institution’s aging and deteriorating building continues to endanger the lives of students and teachers.
The growing concern was raised during the school’s closing and graduation ceremony, where parents warned that they may not allow their children to return to classes for the 2026/2027 academic year unless the government urgently rehabilitates or reconstructs the school.
According to the parents, the building, which has stood for more than four decades, has become structurally weak and unsafe, raising fears that it could collapse if immediate intervention is not undertaken.
Speaking to Verity News, parent Hannah Zodehgar said the condition of the school has become alarming and requires urgent attention from the Government of Liberia.
“The school is no longer safe for our children,” she said. “We are appealing to the government to rehabilitate or rebuild the structure before it claims innocent lives.”
Another parent, Gbotoe Dunn, said although parents remain committed to ensuring their children receive an education, they cannot continue to expose them to unnecessary danger.
“We are willing to sacrifice everything to educate our children, but we cannot watch them study in a building that could collapse at any time,” Dunn said. “I would rather keep my children at home than risk their lives in the name of education.”
The Principal of Kahnweh Public School, Sylvester Kpan, explained that the institution was established by members of the community in 1984 before it was later turned over to the Government of Liberia for operation and maintenance.
According to him, despite serving as a government school for decades, the building has never undergone any major renovation by the Ministry of Education.
“From 1984 until now, the government has never upgraded this building,” Principal Kpan said. “If nothing is done before the opening of the 2026/2027 academic year, many parents may refuse to send their children back to school because of the dangerous condition of the structure.”
He warned that the deteriorating facility poses a serious threat not only to students but also to teachers and other staff members who use the building daily.
Principal Kpan and members of the community are now jointly appealing to the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Education and the River Cess County School System, to urgently rehabilitate or reconstruct the school before tragedy strikes.
Residents described the situation as critical, saying the continued neglect of the school has left the community feeling abandoned by education authorities. They stressed that immediate government intervention is essential to prevent a possible disaster and provide a safe and conducive learning environment for children in Kahnweh Clan.
