Residents of Kogre Voice Outrage Over Teacher Absenteeism, Demand Urgent Renovation of Housing

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Residents of Kogre, a farming community in the Jirapa Municipality have raised serious concerns over the persistent absenteeism of teachers, blaming the issue on the dilapidated state of teachers’ quarters in the community. Speaking to Info Radio, the Assemblyman for the area Mr. Prosper Tengepare revealed that only one teacher currently resides within Kogre, with the others residing in Ull-Dantie and commuting daily.

"The teacher’s quarters here have long fallen into disrepair," Tengepare lamented. "They are no longer habitable, and this situation makes it difficult to retain teachers. During heavy rains , the roads become impassable, further disrupting the teaching schedule."

Residents say this ongoing challenge hampers the quality of education, leaving students at a disadvantage. To address this, Tengepare urgently appealed to the Jirapa Municipal Assembly, government agencies, NGOs, and corporate partners to step in and support the renovation of the community’s teachers' housing. He emphasized that improving the living conditions of teachers would bolster retention and foster a more stable learning environment.

The assembly member also highlighted the plight of Nabire Community Basic School, which caters to children from Kindergarten 1 through Primary 3. The school which was established through a community self-initiative, the school currently lacks adequate infrastructure to properly serve its students.

"We are calling on the Jirapa Municipal Assembly and other relevant authorities to support the construction of proper school facilities in Nabire," Tengepare urged, emphasizing that such infrastructure is essential for quality education and community development.

As Kogre’s residents rally for urgent action, their appeals underscore a pressing need for investment in both teacher welfare and educational infrastructure, a crucial steps toward ensuring a brighter future for their children.