The Member of Parliament for Bunkpurugu, Abednego Bandim, has raised alarm over the growing reluctance of teachers, nurses, and National Service Personnel to accept postings to the constituency, citing persistent conflicts as the main deterrent.
According to the MP, the situation has severely disrupted education delivery in the area, with several schools operating with critically low staff strength or shutting down entirely.
Schools Left With One Teacher
Speaking during an engagement with members of the Bimoba Students Union, Mr Bandim revealed that many schools in the constituency—from primary through to Junior High School—are struggling to function due to the shortage of teachers.
“In some communities, you will find a school running from Primary One to JHS Three with only one teacher. In other cases, schools have been forced to shut down entirely because of the conflicts,” he said.
Call for Recruitment of Local Professionals
The MP disclosed that he had recently met with the Minister of Education to propose a policy shift that prioritises the recruitment and posting of qualified indigenes to serve as teachers and nurses in Bunkpurugu.
He argued that professionals from the area are more willing to accept postings and remain at post, unlike personnel posted from other parts of the country.
“Because of the conflicts, people from outside don’t want to accept postings to Bunkpurugu. Even National Service personnel reject postings there. And when some finally accept, they usually seek transfers within a year or two,” he explained.
Students Appeal for Better Network Connectivity
Meanwhile, Secretary to the EC Chair of the Bimoba Students’ Union, Laar Yoobaar, used the occasion to appeal for improved telecommunications services in the constituency.
He noted that poor network connectivity is affecting students’ academic work and called on the MP—who also chairs Parliament’s Communication and Information Committee—to use his position to help address the problem.
“We have been suffering from serious network challenges, and it is affecting our studies. As Chairman of the Communication Committee, we believe you can help push for improvements,” he said.
