Residents of Sare Mansally Jewru Lower School in Jimara District have raised concerns over the safety of a borehole after a student’s hand was severely injured last week.
The incident occurred as the student attempted to fetch water, sparking fear among both the school community and local residents.
In an interview, teacher Ousainou Jammeh described the event as “unfortunate” and called for urgent action.
“As educators, our mandate is to ensure that students are protected from harm. Water is our only source for drinking and other activities, but the risk it poses to students is alarming,” he said.
Mr. Jammeh noted that while the community is large, most schools rely on hand pumps to access water. “Water is essential, but the potential danger to students cannot be ignored. The school authorities consider this a serious concern that should be addressed immediately to prevent future incidents,” he added.
He also highlighted that gardening is part of the school’s extracurricular activities, which further necessitates access to water. Mr. Jammeh criticized delays from the regional office whenever complaints are lodged.
“We are seeking assistance to resolve this matter urgently. The ministry and government should strategize and support the school to prevent such accidents from recurring,” he appealed.
The community continues to grapple with the challenge, urging both the government and philanthropists to intervene and ensure safe water access.