By Amadu Barrie InKailahun
Heavy rains accompanied by a violent storm on the evening of Sunday, May 11, 2025, caused extensive damage to several schools in the Kailahun District. Among the worst-hit are the LKDEC Primary School and RC Primary School in Buedu, KissiTongi Chiefdom, and the SLMB Junior Secondary School in GbeworbuGao, Luawa Chiefdom.
Hundreds of pupils from the affected schools are now left without proper accommodations, placing immense strain on school administrators—particularly as the rainy season is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
Speaking to this reporter, Madam Juliet Scott, Head Teacher of the LKDEC Primary School in Buedu, described the damage as overwhelming. “The situation is beyond what we can manage alone. Unless the government and NGOs intervene quickly, our pupils will be unable to attend classes for the third term,” she said.
The management of the affected schools is urgently appealing to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) through its Kailahun District Office for immediate assistance.
In addition to structural damage, the schools also reported the destruction of solar installations, teaching materials, and other learning resources valued in the millions of leones. They are appealing to donor organizations and partners who previously supported them to once again come to their aid.
Muctaru Kamara, Chairman of the Council of Head Teachers in Kailahun District and Head Teacher of Methodist Primary School in Kailahun, emphasized the seriousness of the situation.
“The damage caused by the rain is extensive. These schools cannot recover on their own. The government must step in urgently before the rains become more intense,” he urged.
As the third term begins, the fate of hundreds of schoolchildren hangs in the balance, with local education leaders calling for swift and coordinated support to avoid a prolonged disruption to learning in the district.
