By Seedy Jobe
The National Youth President of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), Hagi Suwaneh, has strongly criticized what he describes as the politicization of schools, following allegations that students in the Central River Region North (CRR North) were being taken out of class to attend a political meeting organized by the National People’s Party (NPP).
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Mr. Suwaneh questioned why some school administrators would allow members of the NPP’s student wing to remove pupils from classrooms during school hours for political activities.
“Why are some headteachers allowing the NPP Student Wing to pull pupils out of classrooms for political meetings?” he wrote.
He further alleged that party mobilizers had been deployed across CRR North, requesting that 14 students from each school attend a meeting in Wassu during official contact hours.
“These children are supposed to be in class right now. Instead, because of politics, some heads of schools have decided to cut short their education to prioritize a party meeting,” he stated.
Mr. Suwaneh described the reported practice as unacceptable and called on education authorities, parents, and school governance structures to intervene.
“Schools are not political recruitment grounds. Our children’s right to education must come before any party agenda. Parents, school boards, and the Ministry of Basic Education must hold these headteachers accountable. We cannot allow our classrooms to be politicized, especially during contact hours when kids should be learning,” he added.
The UDP youth leader also raised concerns about previous commitments made to students, alleging that some beneficiaries of promised university tuition support under the current administration are still facing financial challenges.
“Even worse, there are currently many NPP students who were promised by President Adama Barrow that he would pay their university tuition fees. Those students are still seriously struggling; the promise has not been fulfilled,” he claimed.
He further alleged that despite these outstanding commitments, the ruling party continues to engage students across the country with similar pledges.
Mr. Suwaneh urged restraint in political engagement within educational institutions and called for renewed focus on fulfilling existing promises.
“Stop using our children as political pawns. Fulfill the promises already made before making new ones. Leave our schools alone. Let teachers teach. Let students learn. Politics can wait; education cannot,” he said.
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