Margibi County – The Margibi Students Union (MARSU) has issued a strong condemnation of Margibi District #1 Representative Roland Opee Cooper, accusing the lawmaker of arbitrarily shutting down Duazon Public School in what the union describes as a politically motivated act.
In a statement released Saturday, September 13, 2025, MARSU described the September 12 closure of the public school as an “egregious” abuse of power, allegedly driven by Rep. Cooper’s opposition to the reassignment of Principal Paul T. Weh by the District Education Office of the Ministry of Education.
According to MARSU, the move was rooted in a “personal vendetta” against District Education Officer Joseph T. Fallah, who has been pushing for new school leadership in line with the Ministry’s broader educational goals.
“This high-handed behavior is an affront to the very fabric of our educational system,” the union said in its release. “By shutting down the school, Representative Cooper has callously disrupted the academic pursuits of innocent students who had already transported themselves to school, eager to acquire knowledge.”
The students’ union also raised serious concerns about reports that individuals described as “Zogos” ~ youths known to be struggling with substance abuse ~ were allegedly involved in the forceful closure of the school. MARSU called this development “reprehensible,” warning that such actions compromise the safety of students and tarnish the integrity of the learning environment.
“This not only imperils the safety and well-being of the students but also sets a perilous precedent for the community,” the statement said.
Calls for Immediate Action
MARSU has demanded that Rep. Cooper immediately reverse his decision and allow Duazon Public School to resume normal operations without political interference. The organization also urged the Ministry of Education to take swift and decisive action to ensure the protection of students’ rights and the continuation of academic activities in Margibi County.
“Representative Cooper’s insistence on keeping a favored individual as principal ~ despite official reassignment ~ undermines due process and threatens the integrity of the education system,” MARSU noted.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for students’ rights and vowed to continue pushing for accountability.
