Rainstorm Ravages Chakoli D/A Primary School, Forces Families to Relocate in Kpandai District
A powerful rainstorm has wreaked havoc in the Kpandai District of the Northern Region, particularly affecting Chakoli D/A Primary School, where the destruction has disrupted education for students and left many families displaced. The storm, which struck on Thursday, February 20, 2025, devastated several local communities, including Bankamba, Chakoli, and Nanjero, leaving behind widespread damage to homes, schools, and religious buildings.
Chakoli D/A Primary School was one of the worst-hit institutions in the area. The entire school building was destroyed, leaving no safe space for students to continue their education. With the structure reduced to rubble, the teachers and students have been forced to conduct lessons in the open under trees, often facing harsh weather conditions that make learning difficult and unsafe. Despite these challenges, school staff are doing their best to ensure some form of education continues, although they are significantly hindered by the lack of proper facilities.
James Addai, the Headteacher of Chakoli D/A Primary School, shared his concerns with Graphic Online, highlighting the severity of the situation. He explained that the school has been struggling to maintain any sort of regular class schedule due to the lack of shelter for students. “The situation is very serious. For days, we have been attempting to hold lessons for the children, but with no classrooms, we are forced to teach under trees. We also have to finish classes by noon because of the extreme weather conditions,” he said.
The lack of proper facilities has also led to a significant drop in school attendance, as many children are either staying home or helping their parents with farming activities instead of attending school. Recognizing the importance of education, the school authorities have been making efforts to reach out to parents, urging them to send their children back to school despite the challenges. However, with the storm having completely demolished the school building, there are growing concerns that unless urgent action is taken to rebuild, the situation may continue to deteriorate. The approaching rainy season further exacerbates these worries, as many fear that the weather could make conditions even worse.
The storm has also had a devastating impact on the local communities, displacing hundreds of families. Entire neighborhoods, including many homes, have been completely destroyed, forcing residents to seek shelter in neighboring areas. The Assemblyman for the Nanjero Electoral Area, James Asuo, provided further details on the extensive damage, explaining that in Chakoli alone, about 30 houses, along with a chapel and the school, were completely wiped out by the storm. He expressed his concern over the challenges displaced families now face. “Many of these families are now sleeping in overcrowded spaces with neighbors. The situation is very difficult, especially given the large family sizes. People are struggling to find space to sleep and meet basic needs,” Asuo said.
As the affected communities attempt to rebuild their lives, the immediate need for assistance has become increasingly urgent. Local leaders are calling on the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and charitable individuals to provide emergency support for those in need. The destruction caused by the storm is so widespread that the need for relief, including food, shelter, and medical supplies, is critical.
“The level of destruction here is overwhelming. We need immediate assistance to help these families get back on their feet. The loss of homes, schools, and places of worship has left many people in dire straits,” Assemblyman Asuo stated. He appealed to both local and international organizations, urging them to mobilize resources to help rebuild the community and restore normalcy to the affected areas.
With the rainy season fast approaching, there is a growing urgency to find solutions for the displaced families and ensure that children can return to school as soon as possible. The communities affected by the storm are in desperate need of shelter, food, and support to rebuild their lives. If immediate intervention is not provided, the situation could worsen, leaving many vulnerable individuals and families without the means to recover. The call for assistance is not just for the rebuilding of structures, but for a holistic response that supports the education of children and the restoration of the affected communities.
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