In a significant stride to foster quality education and radical inclusion across the district, the Bo District Council has rehabilitated a six-classroom building, with an equipped solar-powered WASH facility in Walihun, Bumpe Ngao chiefdom, with support from the World Bank under the Accountable Governance for Basic Service Delivery Project-phase 2.
As a fundamental sector, basic education remains a priority under the Bio-led Administration. Over time, this call has urged the need for more accommodation in schools to match the soaring enrollment, such is the case for St. Joseph Primary School in Walihun. It has a current enrollment of about 300 pupils, with an expected increase at the start of the academic year. The School is said to serve catchment communities with a population of over 8,000.
Alfred Kallon, a resident of Walihun, highlighted some of the challenges they have encountered in the management of the school, citing inadequate classrooms, lack of WASH facilities, and seating accommodation as impediments to acquiring quality education in that part of the country. “The school was in bad shape and had not met the minimum requirement for a conducive learning environment according to the new education policy.” He stated.
He thanked the World Bank for providing the funds and the leadership of the Council for the judicious utilization and prudent management. Mr. Kallon furthered that the Council has not only restored their children’s passion for education, but has dignified the community with such an edifice of a conducive learning environment.
Hannah Koroma, a class six pupil, expressed happiness for the facilities, citing that the status of their school has been upgraded to any school in the city. “We are proud of our District Council Chairman, he is a leader who cares for marginalized people.”
She further appealed to the Council for the provision of teaching and Learning materials and the recruitment of trained and qualified Teachers so they can adequately compete with their colleagues in bigger towns. We will forever grateful to the Bo District Council for the fair distribution of resources across the district. The provision of this facility is a testament that other communities are equally being provided with their felt needs” She stated.
Opinions from community stakeholders indicate that the development will significantly increase enrollment and improve the academic performance of pupils in that part of the country.
