A group of parents from the Morsli Nadhir school in Bouira, Algeria, organized a two-hour protest on Wednesday, highlighting the dire situation at the school. The parents are demanding action from local authorities to address overcrowding, poor infrastructure, and a nearby garbage dump that is affecting the health and well-being of their children. The school, which has 828 students, is in dire need of improvement.
The school currently has 16 classrooms, but with 828 students, the classes are severely overcrowded. Some classes have as many as 41 to 42 students, with three students sharing a table and others sitting on the floor due to a lack of chairs. Despite promises from authorities, the situation has not improved. In response to the growing concerns, the school's parent-teacher association, Ettahadi, has taken matters into their own hands, conducting repairs and renovations to improve the school's infrastructure.
According to Yassine Hamraoui, president of the Ettahadi parent-teacher association, the group has undertaken significant improvements, including painting, renovating sanitary facilities, and installing air conditioning and heating systems. However, despite these efforts, the association believes that a more comprehensive solution is needed to address the school's problems. Hamraoui expressed frustration that the authorities have not followed through on their promises, citing a lack of engagement from the education director, who has not visited the school despite repeated requests.
The parent-teacher association has made repeated appeals to local authorities, including the mayor and the wilaya administration, but claims that their efforts have been met with inaction or broken promises. Hamraoui cited an example of a generous benefactor who donated five tablets to support a reward program for top-performing students, but the association had to purchase additional tablets due to a lack of support from the municipal authorities. The association had also planned an excursion for top-performing students, but the municipal authorities failed to provide the necessary transportation.
One of the most pressing concerns for parents is the nearby garbage dump, which is located just meters from the school's entrance. The dump, which consists of multiple garbage trucks' worth of waste, emits foul odors and attracts pests, creating an unhealthy environment for students. Despite daily clean-up efforts by the municipal authorities, the situation remains dire. Parents argue that the location of the garbage dump near two schools is unacceptable and demonstrates a lack of civic responsibility and foresight from local authorities.
In response to the ongoing issues, the parent-teacher association organized a two-hour protest, during which parents gathered outside the school to draw attention to their concerns. If their demands are not met, they plan to take further action to push for improvements. The association is seeking a more significant solution, including the construction of a new school to alleviate overcrowding and improve the overall learning environment for students.
The situation at Morsli Nadhir school highlights the challenges faced by schools in Algeria, particularly in terms of infrastructure and resources. With 828 students and only 16 classrooms, the school is in dire need of improvement. The parent-teacher association's efforts to address these issues have been commendable, but it is clear that more needs to be done to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for the students.
Key points
- Overcrowding and poor infrastructure at Bouira's Morsli Nadhir school have prompted protests from parents.
- A nearby garbage dump is creating unhealthy conditions for students.
- Authorities have made promises to address the issues but have not followed through.
