Land Dispute Identified as Cause of Repeated Fires at Nyapui Secondary School

Government officials, school authorities, and SEND Sierra Leone have identified a long-standing land dispute as the underlying cause of the recurring fire outbreaks at Nyapui Secondary School in Kenema District.

Nyapui Secondary School in Combema Town, Kenema District, is marking the fourth such incident reported at the institution this year, following two earlier incidents that damaged parts of the institution and disrupted academic activities, raising concerns among residents, school authorities, and education stakeholders.

The conclusion was reached after a series of emergency stakeholder meetings convened to address the repeated destruction of school property and the growing disruption to teaching and learning at the institution.

According to stakeholders, the fire incidents are linked to unresolved disagreements over the ownership and boundaries of the land on which the school was built. Community members said a family claiming that part of its land was encroached upon without adequate compensation had previously performed traditional rites seeking justice over the disputed property.

Although officials acknowledged that such community beliefs exist, they emphasised that efforts are focused on resolving the matter through lawful and peaceful means.

The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education and the Resident Minister for the Eastern Region have called on all parties to engage in constructive dialogue to bring the dispute to an end. They stressed that restoring peace is essential to safeguarding the welfare of students and ensuring uninterrupted access to education.

School management, the Sierra Leone Police, SEND Sierra Leone, community leaders, and other stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a legal and lasting resolution to the dispute while strengthening measures to protect the school from further destruction.

Mediation efforts are currently underway to secure a permanent settlement and prevent additional damage to school infrastructure.

Stakeholders also appealed to residents to cooperate with the authorities, refrain from actions that could endanger lives or public property, and support efforts to create a safe learning environment for pupils.

Nyapui Secondary School has experienced more than five fire outbreaks since its establishment, with classrooms, offices, and students’ dormitories among the facilities destroyed. The repeated incidents have raised serious concerns among parents, residents, and education authorities over the safety of learners and the future of the school.