The Chairman of the School Management Committee (SMC) for the Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood Primary School in Senehun Massaquoi, Pujehun District, Musa Kombay, has expressed his frustration with the Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood (SLMB) mission, threatening to remove the name of the mission on the school if support for the school does not improve.
Kombay accused the mission, which the school is named after, of neglecting the institution for over a decade, only offering vague promises without any tangible support.
Kombay criticized SLMB mission manager Mohamed Jakema for failing to fulfill commitments made to the school.
He emphasized the detrimental impact of this neglect, stating, “We regret choosing the SLMB mission as every time we face issues, the authorities offer lip service rather than real solutions.”
The school is currently grappling with severe challenges, including a lack of adequate seating accomodation, water facilities, and proper sanitation, with only one poorly compensated teacher available to educate the pupils.
Head Teacher Jonathan Meizeger highlighted the school’s dire conditions, noting their efforts to create a conducive learning environment have been met with continued deterioration.
He revealed that despite engaging the Ministry of Education for support, the promises made have yet to materialize, leaving pupils struggling to receive a formal education.
Local youth leader Lawrence Swaray voiced his disappointment, calling the situation “appalling” and urging the Ministry of Education to take action. He warned that the community may feel compelled to seek support from other missions if the current one continues to disregard their needs.
Alpha Kamara, Chairman of the Community Teachers Association, echoed these sentiments, describing the school’s lack of teachers as a significant obstacle.
He confirmed that the matter had been reported to the Teaching Service Commission in hopes of securing additional staff.
The school building itself is in a state of disrepair, contributing to an urgent need for assistance from both the government and humanitarian organizations.
A pupil, Zubaru Massaquoi, pleaded for immediate help, recounting the struggles of attending classes under a leaking roof after the school’s structure suffered damage during the rainy season.
As the community awaits action from relevant authorities, the future of the Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood Primary School hangs in the balance, with pupils and teachers alike in desperate need of support to ensure their educational needs are met.