Residents of Henry Town in Korninga Chiefdom, Bopolu District, Gbarpolu County, are raising concerns over what they describe as years of neglect of the Henry Town Public School (HTPS), the only junior high school serving the area.
School administrators, students, and parents say the institution is facing serious challenges due to a lack of government support, inadequate teaching materials, and poor educational infrastructure.
Speaking to reporters, Vice Principal for Administration M. Obadiah Meisa described the situation as alarming, stressing that the school has been struggling to operate without meaningful assistance from national and local authorities.
According to him, Henry Town Public School was established in 2012 to provide educational opportunities for children in the remote community and surrounding villages.
The institution currently offers classes from ABC through Grade Nine and serves as the only junior high school in the district, making it a critical educational center for hundreds of young people.
Despite its importance, Meisa said the school has received little or no direct support from the Ministry of Education since its establishment more than a decade ago.
He disclosed that the school operates under the government’s tuition-free education policy, with students only paying registration fees as required by the Ministry of Education.
According to the administration, all registration fees collected from students are deposited into a Ministry of Education account, leaving the school with limited resources to address pressing operational needs.
Meisa lamented that the institution lacks basic teaching and learning materials, creating difficulties for both teachers and students.
He further noted that enrollment at the school has dropped significantly over the years, falling from approximately 300 students to around 100 students currently attending classes.
The vice principal attributed the decline partly to increased mining activities in the county, which have caused many families to relocate in search of economic opportunities.
He revealed that male students currently outnumber female students at the institution, a trend that educators say requires urgent attention from policymakers and development partners.
School authorities also expressed concern about the future of students who complete Grade Nine at Henry Town Public School.
According to him, many graduates face enormous challenges in continuing their education because there is no nearby senior high school within easy reach of the community.
Students seeking to advance their studies must travel to Bopolu City and other areas, a journey that many families cannot afford due to transportation costs and economic hardships.
As a result, some students reportedly discontinue their education after completing junior high school, limiting their opportunities for future employment and personal development.
Parents and community leaders are also expressing disappointment with elected officials, accusing lawmakers of failing to prioritize education in the district.
Residents claim that senators and representatives rarely provide assistance to the school and only return to the community during election periods seeking political support.
The criticism reflects growing frustration among citizens who believe that education in rural communities continues to receive inadequate attention despite repeated promises from government officials.
School authorities are now appealing to the Ministry of Education, lawmakers, development partners and humanitarian organizations to intervene urgently by providing teaching materials, infrastructure support
including educational resources to ensure that Henry Town Public School can continue serving the children of Korninga Chiefdom and the wider Bopolu District.