By Staff writer
Heavy rains for over three consecutive days in August swept away the Atepi Bridge, isolating four villages and disrupting access to essential services such as health centers, schools, markets, and farmlands.
Ayela Francis, the head teacher of Nyanciigak Nursery and Primary School, reported that the school has postponed examinations by two weeks due to the bridge’s collapse.
Over 600 learners from Nyanciigak, including those in adult education, primary, and nursery sections, have been affected by this disruption.
“We have not started the examinations because the bridge was swept off and some learners are on the other side of the Bridge,” he stated.
The school is expected to annex to former compound of Owinyi-kibul Primary School where they will be able to sit for the second term examination.
“If we do not give these learners their examinations, their progress will be affected. By next week, the examination will be started,” he added.
Students are expected to take their exams outdoors, under trees, with limited or no educational materials available.
The headteacher urged the government to construct an emergency bridge to restore the community’s access to essential services.
“I am requesting the implementing partners in charge of education to support these children so as they can continue to learn,” Francis told No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper.
Jur Peter Kuol, a primary school pupil, has been unable to reach his school for two weeks.
“I can’t cross the river, and I can’t get my textbook. We were supposed to take our exams last week, but now we cannot,” he said.
Abalo Grace, a farmer from Angok, expressed concern that her crops are likely to suffer due to competition with weeds.
“I need to weed my farm, but I can’t access it. If this bridge remains out, I don’t know how I will harvest my crops,” she lamented.
Oyet Joseph Charles, the head chief of Owinyi-Kibul, has called on the government to intervene, saying the four affected villages are food producers for the villages.
The impacted institutions include Nyanciigak Primary School, the OTC Military Training Wing, and Nyanciigak Military Academy.
In the meantime, the community has constructed a makeshift bridge using jerrycans to facilitate access.