Pupils Municipal Primary School
On Monday 22nd January, a cross section of members of the Sierra Leone Progressive Union, USA branch, made a donation to the Allen Town Municipal Primary School in the eastern part of Freetown. The move, according to the union, is part of its goal of promoting education in the country.
The donated items include 40 chairs, 20 desks/tables, a communication device for impaired-speech pupils and some exercise books. The donation was made at the school premises in the presence of the pupils, staff and community stakeholders.
Presenting the items to the Head Teacher, the Organizing Secretary of SLPU, Mr. Mohamed Amaka Alie, spoke on importance of the donated items to the pupils and the nation.
“We believe that when you educate a child, you educate the nation,” he said. He also spoke on the work of the union, citing previous activities including presentation of scholarship to university students.
According to Mr. Alie, this is the first time they have extended support to primary schools. “We are going to make similar donations to two more schools,” he promised.
Making his statement, former Chairman of SLPU, Mr. Abdul Modie Kargbo, said the union, which is chaired by popular presenter on the Voice of America, David Buake Vandy, was formed in 1994 for the purpose of promoting education in the country.
“I started my educational journey here in Sierra Leone with a sound foundation that helped me succeed in other places across the world. We want to replicate the same here,” he said, adding: “We want the pupils to get the right education at this stage.”
Kargbo advised the pupils to concentrate on their studies and be steadfast on their academic career. He also urged them to say no to early marriage.
Mr. Kargbo went on to emphasize the need to continue to support elementary schools, saying: “The elementary school is the foundation for a strong and quality education. It’s time for the union to focus on them. We want to give the right education at this stage,” he said.
Receiving the items, the Head Teacher of the school, . Olive Mansaray, expressed appreciation for the gesture. She lamented the deplorable state of the school pupils, noting that about 80% of them were less privileged, with some attending school without uniforms, shoes or books.
“This donation comes at the right time. We have always been repairing furniture in the school,” she added. The Allen Town Municipal Primary School was founded in 1902, the first in that community. The school has produced prominent people in the country, including former Head of State, Captain Valentine Strasser.
There are about 200 pupils and 7 staff in the school presently. Mrs. Mansaray said they were looking forward to more assistance to rehabilitate the tap and toilet facilities, and if possible build the perimeter fence for the safety of the pupils.