New Agou school classroom structure ravages in fire

A 3 unit classroom wooden structure housing some pupils of the New Agou Basic School in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the endorsed Oti Region has been ravage by fire Sunday night.

The course of the fire, which also burnt about 150 dual desks and some academic logistics, is yet to be established.

However, the Assistant Headteacher of the School, Kennedy Attah, is of the strong conviction some community members torched the structure either knowingly or unknowingly.

“We realized the classrooms were overcrowded and decided to make available room for another stream. The parents contributed money to buy rubber to roof the structure erected by the pupils using tree stumps.”

“The structure which accommodated 3 classes was once set ablaze, but we were quick to quench the fire, suspecting the fire might have been lit by an uncontrolled fire around the campus. We then advised residents to desist from loitering around the campus after school”, he added.

He lamented that “we realized the structure was on fire again last [Sunday] night but couldn’t extinguish it and unable to find the perpetrators too.”

He, therefore, appealed for government’s intervention to provide the school a permanent classroom block to house the increasing pupil population.

The Nkwanta South Municipal Education Director indicated officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation would move in to assess the extent of damage and assist the school in which whichever way they can.

“Residents would also be sensitized on the need to support the development of the school as it promises a bright future for the community by providing education for the younger generation”, he stated.

Meanwhile, the situation had compelled authorities of the New Agou Basic School to house the 3 classes under trees in the interim.