By: Shallon S. Gonlor
GBEDIN TOWN, NIMBA County — Schoolchildren in the rural communities of Nimba County are facing a monumental challenge as they attempt to navigate overflowing streams to reach their classrooms. The region has been hit hard by heavy rains, which have washed away bridges that once connected schools in areas like Zorgowee and Gbedin Gampakpoa Towns. The relentless downpours have transformed the landscape into a battleground against nature, where the very essence of life—water—has become a formidable barrier to education.
Liberia is grappling with this natural disaster, and Nimba County is enduring an exceptionally wet summer. Particularly affected are the mountainous regions in Districts 2 and 3, where severe flooding has left tens of thousands of schoolchildren struggling to cross treacherous waters to attend school.
On Tuesday, the gravity of the situation was evident as children in these rural communities were forced out of the classroom. The start of their academic year has been delayed due to floodwaters inundating school campuses. Many were seen risking their lives, wading through dangerous currents just to reach their educational institutions. The image of young students braving the floods is a stark reminder of the region’s dire circumstances.
In response, tens of thousands of children and residents in Gbedin Gampakpoa and Zorgowee Towns are calling on the national government, particularly the Ministry of Education, to postpone the reopening of schools by one week. This plea comes as the ongoing floods, caused by heavy rains, continue to pose significant risks. The call for postponement is driven by flood-related deaths in the county, highlighting the severe and sometimes fatal consequences of the natural disaster.
Local media reports have painted a grim picture: more than 100 schools have been damaged since the start of the rainy season in May. Many structures have collapsed walls and blown-away roofs, compounding the challenges faced by the education sector. Despite the severe damage, there has been no intervention reported up to press time, leaving communities to fend for themselves in the face of adversity.
Liberia’s climate is tropical, characterized by hot and humid conditions year-round, with a rainy season that spans from May to October. This year, the rains have been particularly devastating for Nimba County, underscoring the urgent need for infrastructural improvements and emergency response measures to ensure the safety and education of its young population.
The situation calls for immediate action from local authorities and international aid organizations to address the infrastructural damages and provide safe passage for schoolchildren. Without such interventions, the future of these young learners remains precarious, with their right to education hanging in the balance amidst the floods.
