By Peter Kollie | Zorzor District, Lofa County
Residents of Medina Town in Zorzor Administrative District, Lofa County, are sounding an urgent alarm over the state of their only public school, which is being run single-handedly by a volunteer teacher.
The Medina Public School, serving children from the ABC level through Grade Six, has been reduced to a one-man operation. The volunteer, who doubles as both administrator and classroom teacher, is responsible for every subject and grade level. Community leaders say the situation has reached a breaking point.
Town Chief Varlee Jabateh, speaking on behalf of residents, described the crisis as “deeply troubling” and warned that the future of Medina’s children is at stake. “Whenever the lone teacher is absent due to other responsibilities, classes are disrupted entirely. Our children lose valuable learning time, and their education suffers,” he said.
Chief Jabateh appealed directly to the Zorzor District Education Office to assign qualified teachers to the school. He stressed that additional staff would not only improve the quality of instruction but also restore confidence among parents who fear their children are being denied proper learning opportunities.
The shortage of teachers is not the only challenge confronting Medina Town. Chief Jabateh also highlighted the poor condition of the road leading to the community, which he said hampers transportation for residents, visitors, and even government officials. “We are cut off whenever the road becomes impassable. Development cannot reach us if we remain isolated,” he noted.
Beyond education and infrastructure, the town chief underscored Medina’s reliance on agriculture as its primary livelihood. Farmers in the area cultivate cocoa, coffee, and other tree crops, but Jabateh said they lack adequate support. He called on the Ministry of Agriculture to provide improved seedlings and technical assistance to boost productivity. “Our farmers are willing to work hard, but they need the right tools and resources to succeed,” he added.
Residents believe that with government intervention in education, road rehabilitation, and agricultural support, Medina Town could achieve meaningful development. For now, however, the community remains in distress, with children’s education hanging by a thread and economic opportunities constrained by poor infrastructure.
The plight of Medina reflects broader challenges facing rural communities across Liberia, where schools often struggle with staffing shortages, inadequate facilities, and limited government oversight. As parents and leaders continue to press for action, the future of Medina’s children depends on whether authorities respond to their call for help.
