5,000 Schoolchildren displaced, 44 schools shut down
Gbenyiri land dispute: 5,000 Schoolchildren displaced, 44 schools shut down
The recent violent clash in parts of the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District in the Savannah Region is taking a heavy toll on education as many schools have been shut down in the affected communities.
Out of the 150 schools, 44 have been closed down due to the unrest, disrupting academic activities in five circuit areas.
The closure has displaced more than 5,000 pupils, while 13 teachers have abandoned their posts for fear of their lives.
The impact of the disturbance has been dire, as many children are now idle and risk permanent school drop-out.
Also, parents who fled their homes were unable to enrol their children in the camps, while some displaced pupils are resorting to menial jobs to support their families.
The Savannah Regional Director of Education, Bright A. Lawoe, who disclosed this to Graphic Online’s Mohammed Fugu, explained that the teachers had been advised to stay away until the insecurity situation improved.
“Thirteen of our staff members cannot work and have gone into hiding because of this unfortunate situation. We have advised the teachers to stay away until we receive assurances from the Security Council that it is safe to return,” he told the Graphic Online’s Mohammed Fugu.
He, however, expressed concern about the impact on performance, stressing that pupils in the affected communities were already lagging behind.
Mr Lawoe indicated that efforts were being made in collaboration with UNICEF to provide temporary learning spaces for displaced children at the camps.
He further appealed to authorities to step up efforts to restore calm in the area to ensure the full resumption of academic activities.
Children cries
Kobena, a pupil of God Wonders International School, expressed concern about the closure of his school. He said although most of his classmates had fled for safety, he and a few others were still eager to learn.
“Most of my friends have left, but I want to continue my education. We beg the community to resolve this conflict so that children like us can go back to school.
We are the future leaders,” he said.
Another pupil, Razak Amidu, also appealed to the feuding factions to cease fire and give peace a chance in the interest of children and the vulnerable.
Mariam Alhassan, a mother of three, said her children had not been in school for weeks, saying, “My children ask me every day when they will return to school, and I have no answer for them. It breaks my heart.”
Another parent, Issah Fuseini, expressed worry that the conflict could rob an entire generation of their education if peace was not restored soon.
Background
The Gbenyiri conflict, which erupted over a parcel of land between two rival factions, has left 31 people dead, displaced about 48,000 residents, and destroyed several houses and properties.
Many victims are still living in makeshift camps, while others remain scattered across nearby districts.
Some are also seeking refuge in the neighbouring Ivory Coast.
