Alula Primary School in deplorable condition and parents ask for urgent intervention

Pupils of Alula Primary School attend a lesson under a tree

Teachers at Alula Primary & Intermediate School in Alula district, in Somalia's northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland have been conducting lessons under a tree for 2 years since the roof of their four-classroom building was blown off by the storms of Chapala & Megh which caused heavy rains and landslides throughout Guardafui regions in November 2015 leaving two classrooms without a roof and several others with broken ceilings

According to the teachers, the trees under which the pupils were currently studying were not conducive because the pupils were exposed to harsh weather conditions. and they lamented that it was difficult to hold classes under trees during this period (raining season) as the children often get distracted, trying to cope with the discomfort of the cold weather and the rains.

In an interview with Beldaje ismail Beldaje yasin , the highest-ranking traditional elder in the region after his visit to the school, the principal of the school Mr. Mohammed Ali hiji said that the conditions in which the pupils learn, absolutely unfit for students, especially for young children because the roofs of the classrooms have been blown open, making sunshine and rain to have unhindered access to them

He added " when the roof had been blown off on November 2015. we had immediately reported the damages to the ministry of education in Puntland and International Organizations Supporting Education like UNICEF , CARE , ADRA and others and they all promised to assist but they never came back and we are not sure if they are going to deliver as they promised

the principal added " The school has nearly 60 students and When it rains or the wind blows the school closes and the students are told to go home and due to continuing degradation of the school, parents are discouraged to send their children to the school.

finally The conscious people of Alula district along with the teachers and students of the school have appealed to the Puntland government, the Somali Federal Government and international bodies, including United Nations bodies, to urgently rehabilitate their school so that the children will be able to continue their education.