By Tokpa Tarnue, tarnue82@gmail.com
LOFA COUNTY, Liberia- Reports from Foya many miles outside the Lofa County capital, Voinjama say several school-going children are currently out of former schools as a result of ongoing traditional bush school activities in the district.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday December 15 during an interactive forum to end FGM in the region by the district gender focal person, Kumba Saah.
According to Madam Saah, one of the bush schools is currently being operated in Jomata, Wuam administrative district.
She said the school has been in operation since November this year which has denied several children both boys and girls from acquiring former education.
The disclosure by the female participant drew the attention of all describing the act as a total violation of the right of the children to education.
When contacted, Foya district education officer James Nyumah indicated that statistics from various schools in the district shows that over 300 of the school going children are yet to begin classes due to the operations of the bush schools currently in the district.
Also speaking about the situation, Foya Statutory District Superintendent Clarence Sandi confirmed the operation of the bush school in his district.
According to superintendent Sandi, a stakeholder meeting was recently held in the district after which a two week ultimatum was given to the organizers of the bush schools to abort their operation on grounds that their operation was illegal.
He said, the failure of the organizers to abort their operation clearly indicates that they are being backed some big hands within the county thou he declined to called names of those he believe are behind the current operation of the bush school in the district.
According to Superintendent Sandi, there is another planned stakeholders meeting in the district in order to address the issue urgently.
Meanwhile, Lofa County Superintendent, William Tamba Kamba, who is Chief Lieutenant of the President of Liberia, has since condemned the act being carried out in the district.
According to superintendent Kamba, an investigation is currently being conducted to establish those involved in the operation of the bush schools at the time.
He said penalties will be taken against those involve which will discourage others across the County from engaging in the violation of the moratorium placed on the operations of bush school