Wind blows off school’s roof

Story by LESLIE OMARO
STRONG winds have torn off the roof of a classroom and office building at Barakau Primary School.
The school has elementary to Grade 8 and has a roll of more than 500 students.
The building, which houses one Grade 8 class, a staff room and the head master’s office, had its roof blown off by the strong winds last Thursday.
The winds carried the roof over the school fence and dumped it on the main road outside.
Barakau village woke up last Friday morning to find the building’s roof lying on the road.
Buses transporting villagers to town that morning had to use another road to reach the main highway as volunteers helped teachers clear the road.
Headmaster John Wasigui, who was appointed to look after the school this year, was lost for words when inspecting the damage.
“What a way to start the school year,” an upset Wasigui said.
“I’m not yet sure what will happen now and I will consult the education office and get their advice first.
“This is a major setback to the start of the school year and will surely affect Grade 8 students.
“We will have to find a temporary place for them to learn in,” he said.
Vice board chairman Kelly Madu said the strong winds started at 10pm on Thursday and continued until early Friday morning.
Madu said the school building was built by the Digicel Foundation on Nov 21, 2008.
“We will be assisting the headmaster and work with him to fix the damaged building so the school year can run smoothly,” Madu said.