Makoko Fire: Victims Sent home from school by Don Abiodun Odedeyi

Following the fire disaster that struck Makoko, Lagos on Friday where properties worth millions were lost, another shocker was dealt on affected pupils living in the area when the principal of Herbert Macauley Junior High School send them home because they resumed without uniforms.

Rachael Abe is one of the affected whose spoke with Don Abiodun Odedeyi.

“Our principal said if we cannot come to school with school uniform, we should not show up in school.”

Her mother, one of the affected residents of the area narrated her experience, “Right from the assembly ground, our children were turned back because they showed up at school without uniform… uniform they got burnt during the fire incident.”

Is that so, I asked.

“Yes. I later went there with my own child so that I can explain the situation of things to the Principal. He said my child cannot stay in school in mufti. He advised us to look for uniform by all means.

“Our properties got burnt on Friday, we’ve been sleeping outside since then. No (emergency) shed, no nothing. And this morning, our children are being sent home because we cannot perform miracles concerning their uniforms.”

The Vice Principal of Herbert Macaulay Junior high School, Mr. Makanjuola,blamed his decision on the fact that many of the students are fond of seeking external help during examinations.

He said, “it’s a pathetic situation, we’ve asked them to go around their classes and seek for assistance from their mates because there are some of them that have more than one uniforms. We believe that anybody can come from outside, pose as students and write exams for anyone. Don’t see this in a bad fate because I also spoke with one of the women that came here this morning that there are some of their colleagues that can spare them uniforms which they can manage till the end of the term.”

When I asked about the second term examination that will commence on Thursday April 4, 2013, the Principal assured me that the affected students will surely write their exams.

“With or without uniforms?” I asked.

“They will write examinations with uniforms, don’t worry. Parents should have come to tell us what happened but that did not. It was when their children were sent home that they started showing up with explanations. I hate to see this happen but we must do things the way it should be done. For their coming examination, we have the situation under control and I assure you that they will sit for their papers.”

At the site of the incident, life is gradually coming back to normal, many who lost all are seen conveying plants to their affected structure sites, others are building their plank-house.