Africa-Press – Liberia. Principal Steve Gonpein of the government-run Dorothy Cooper Semi High School has expressed growing concerns about the rising levels of criminal activity on the school’s premises.
He, attributes these issues to the absence of assigned watchmen or security personnel, which has led to a series of break-ins and burglaries by unidentified criminals.
According to Mr. Gonpein, the school is currently vulnerable to criminal activity due to the lack of adequate security measures and proper fencing.
He noted that the removal of former security personnel has caused significant embarrassment for the administration, and despite repeated appeals to the Ministry of Education in Liberia, his calls for assistance have gone unanswered.
The school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) has stepped in to cover the cost of security, but the guards are often poorly compensated, leading to dissatisfaction and frequent departures.
The security situation remains a major concern for the school community.
In addition to security challenges, the school has faced infrastructure issues, particularly following a violent rainstorm in January that caused extensive damage to the building.
Despite a visit from the County Education Officer, who subsequently reported the damage to the central office of the Ministry of Education, no action has been taken to repair the school’s facilities.
Residents of the community have voiced their frustration with the government’s inaction, especially after the Ministry of Education had promised to renovate the damaged sections of the school during the semester break. However, no work has been undertaken thus far.
The Dorothy Cooper Semi High School serves as a vital educational institution for the surrounding community, providing education to students from elementary through high school levels. It is the only school of its kind in the area, offering crucial opportunities to less-privileged children from the locality and beyond.
Despite the challenges, the school has recently been upgraded to semi-high status to accommodate the growing number of students, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Meanwhile, when contacted via telephone Tuesday, Bong County Education Officer Boakai David declined to comment on the matter.
The lack of adequate response from the Ministry of Education continues to raise concerns about the future of the school and the safety and well-being of its students.
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