Primary education in Wulukoha Clan is under severe strain as poor infrastructure and inadequate staffing continue to undermine teaching and learning. Across several towns, children are forced to study in unsafe, overcrowded, and unconducive classrooms, raising concerns about the future of rural education in Lofa County.
A recent visit by the Rural Reporters News Network (RRNN) found schools in Hilgbelahun, Kortuvela, and Tongolahun in dilapidated conditions. Roofs leak during the rainy season, walls are crumbling, and classrooms lack basic furniture. Lessons are often interrupted when water floods the buildings, forcing teachers to suspend instruction.
The crisis extends beyond infrastructure. Most schools operate with a shortage of qualified teachers, relying heavily on volunteers. In Tongolahun, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) struggles to raise funds to pay stipends and build additional classrooms to accommodate growing enrollment. “As I talk to you, we don’t have chalk, our blackboard is not shining, and we don’t have enough teachers,” said Edwin Fallah, PTA chairman. “We really need help.”
Despite these challenges, communities are making self-help efforts. Residents rally limited resources to patch up buildings, construct new classrooms, and support volunteer teachers. In some cases, families assist teachers with farm work as a form of appreciation. Yet these initiatives often result in substandard facilities that fail to meet basic safety and learning standards.
The lack of teaching materials compounds the problem. Schools visited by RRNN had little or no access to supplies such as chalk, textbooks, and stationery. Pupils were seen wearing faded uniforms, while many had none at all. Footwear was scarce, with most children walking to school in slippers — a stark reminder of the economic hardships rural families face.
Teachers and parents alike warn that the poor learning environment is eroding student concentration and attendance. “We want our children to learn, but the condition of the school is discouraging,” said one parent. “Sometimes they come home early because the classrooms are not safe.”
Education stakeholders caution that such conditions contribute to declining academic performance and rising dropout rates, particularly among younger pupils who require stable and supportive environments.
Teachers say the absence of proper classrooms and materials makes effective instruction nearly impossible. “We are committed to our students, but without buildings and resources, it becomes very challenging,” one teacher explained.
Community leaders are now calling on the Ministry of Education, local authorities, and development partners to prioritize school infrastructure in Wulukoha Clan. They argue that without urgent intervention, the region risks losing an entire generation to illiteracy and underachievement.
For families in Hilgbelahun, Kortuvela, and Tongolahun, the hope remains that government and partners will recognize the plight of rural schools and act swiftly. Until then, children will continue to learn in unsafe classrooms, teachers will struggle without pay, and communities will bear the burden of sustaining education against overwhelming odds.
