By Moses J. Dawoe
/Southeast Correspondent
A violent storm that swept through Harper in the closing weeks of April has ravaged significant portion of the Harper Demonstration School , a major government-run institution serving hundreds of students in Maryland County.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on May 6, the school’s principal, Emmanuel Y. Dennis, described the destruction as extensive, with the storm tearing through the school’s aging roof structures.
He noted that the buildings, located near the coastline, have withstood the elements for decades but are now increasingly vulnerable due to their proximity to the sea.
“The roofs have lasted for many years, but their closeness to the ocean means we’re always dealing with damage,” Dennis explained.
“We’ve made small repairs over time, but it’s not enough.”
The principal highlighted the ongoing challenges the school faces during the rainy season.
With over 870 students enrolled, the school struggles to accommodate them safely during inclement weather.
“When it rains, the students are left scrambling for shelter. It disrupts learning and puts their safety at risk,” he added.
Principal Dennis also addressed the financial constraints affecting the school.
While the Ministry of Education no longer collects 40% of school fees from government institutions—a policy shift aimed at increasing school autonomy—the funds raised internally have already been spent on paying volunteer teachers, purchasing learning materials, and repairing desks.
This has left no resources for storm-related repairs.
Another factor, according to Dennis, is environmental degradation.
He pointed to the destruction of large trees in Harper by previous city administrations, which he believes once served as natural barriers against storms.
“Cutting down those trees has exposed homes and schools like ours to more severe damage,” he said.
