By Nasratu Kargbo
Proprietor and Principal of Education Centre for the Blind and Visually Impaired Thomas Alieu has expressed frustration over what he described as repeated thievery of the school’s property.
Speaking to Politico on the 4th of August 2023, Alieu highlighted the challenges they face as an institution, saying: “Thieves always invade our place and take away our property including machines, hence my cry for help for parimeter fence”.
He said that he had started fencing the other end of the building and fixed a gate, explaining that he hasn’t been fully capacitated to finish the other end. According to the Proprietor, the other end which is not fenced has exposed the campus to thieves, adding that they have broken into their place on several occasions.
The Principal further explained how a few weeks ago they stole a generator, gate, grinding machine, steel door, and other equipment in the metal workshop department where their students get trained on technical welding skills.
Highlighting other challenges, Alieu said his institution does not have vehicle to transport the visually impaired students to and from their homes and campus.
He explained that some of their visually impaired students who have attempted to go to campus without aid have been knocked down by motor bikes and vehicles, noting that this has led to a drastic reduction in the student population at the institution. He said the institution has no boarding facility which could have avoided the students everyday commuting.
He recalled that he had visited London in 2013 and that some people had helped the institution with a bus, stating that since the bus got faulty they’ve been unable to get another.
“I have made several appeals for assistant, especially from the Ministry of Education” the Proprietor said. He explained that years ago the Ministry gave buses to other special needs institution, but left out his institution, adding that he has met and wrote an official letter to the then Minister of Basic and Senior School Education (MBSSE) Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, however nothing has been done in that regard.
In addition, the proprietor mentioned that they do not have access to clean water, explaining that the water they have access to is the stream water which according to him is not hygienic for consumption.
He said that he has to pay an amount of one thousand five hundred Leones (NLE1, 500) to get water in the school compound.
The school was established in 2006, with intention of catering for only the visually impaired, however, according to the Proprietor they now cater for other persons with special needs and the general public. The institution offers diploma and certificate courses and is accredited by the NCTVA.
The campus which is located at Main Motor Road Grafton is halfway fenced, with the exposed side facing the street and car wash centre. The institution has different departments such as catering, welding, tailoring, banking and finance, social work, and cosmetology amongst others. Another part of the campus such as the welding department is very close to the car wash and a nearby stream, which attracts many passersby.
Apart from the different departments, the main campus building holds eight classes and the principal’s office which looks decent and well taken care of.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (07/08/23)
