HARPER, MARYLAND COUNTY – Over 800 students at the Harper Demonstration Junior and Senior High School are facing alarming learning conditions as the school’s infrastructure continues to deteriorate with no clear intervention in sight.
The once-proud institution, located in the heart of Harper City, now resembles a makeshift structure following years of storm damage and prolonged neglect. With sections of the building deroofed, both students and staff remain exposed to rain and harsh weather, especially during the ongoing rainy season. The conditions have rendered classrooms unsafe, disrupting daily lessons and undermining the pursuit of quality education.
Speaking to reporters, Principal Emmanuel Dennis voiced deep concern about the state of the facility, revealing that the school has remained in a dilapidated condition since he assumed leadership. “We’ve tried what we can with the little support we get, but the condition is worsening,” Dennis said. “During the rainy season, water floods the classrooms. We cannot even hold regular sessions because the place becomes unsafe. We’ve informed the local Ministry of Education, but there has been no tangible response.”
He noted that although philanthropic organizations like the Dorboh Bedell Foundation have expressed interest in helping, no concrete support has been delivered as the rains continue.
Local residents and parents have also sounded the alarm, expressing both outrage and disappointment over the government’s failure to act. “I am shocked. This school has produced important people in our country. How can it be left to rot while our children sit here every day? It’s heartbreaking,” said Tete Togba, a longtime resident of Central Harper.
Another community member, Francis Koffa, described the facility as a “death trap,” stating, “This is a shame – not just on the school administration but on the government and the Ministry of Education. We can’t keep sending our children here and pretend everything is normal.”
The Harper Demonstration School has historically produced some of Liberia’s most respected public servants, but today, its crumbling infrastructure casts a shadow over its proud legacy.
In response to the outcry, Maryland County’s newly appointed County Education Officer, Larry Nimely, acknowledged the school’s poor condition and said renovation plans are being discussed. However, he offered no specific timeline for action, leaving students, parents, and educators in limbo.
As the rainy season deepens, calls are growing louder for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Education, alumni, and development partners. Stakeholders say the safety and future of Liberia’s next generation must not be left to chance.
Source: KMTV Continuing from ***Source: KMTV***, the news report highlighted critical developments in the local education system. The segment shed light on upcoming school board meetings aimed at enhancing academic performance across the district. Additionally, it emphasized the community’s role in fostering a conducive learning environment for students.
