Marblee Public School administration, teachers and students thought Representative Clarence T. Banks ascendancy was a blessing to upgrade their school as it is in an appalling state, but his leadership has become a curse to the school and the district.
A leader’s function to the community and its people is to act as a catalyst, connector, and guide who inspires action, fosters collaboration, and works toward the shared well-being and development of the group.
Representative Banks of Grand Bassa County’s district #2, who defeated former Representative Mary Kawor in the 2023 presidential and legislative elections, is not proceeding well, according to several residents who spoke with the Hot Pepper recently in the district.
“Since he won the election, honorable Banks has not visited Marblee Public School campus,” the registrar of the school said, pointing his finger at ruined toilet facility and bushes the students, teachers and administrators often use for toilet.
The Marblee Public School at Grand Bassa County’s district #2 Compound #2, has allegedly been deserted by Representative Banks and the county’s authorities, including the County Education Officer, District Education Officer, and so on.
But accusing fingers are pointed at Representative Banks for his failure to exercise his cardinal functions, law-making, oversight and representing.
Residents spoken with stated that Representative Banks did not run campaign to win, but allegedly bought voters’ slot from former Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh, who was aspirant for the district and declined for a senatorial post when former Representative Kawor attempted a third-term bid.
“Representative Clarence T. Banks can lie; he is not representing us. We cannot see him, and he is not doing good things for us,” residents of Compound #2 , Marloi Township and Vambo Township, said, regretting voting him to power.
Sometime in 2024, violence storm removed the Marblee Public School’s modern toilet roof and destroyed a portion of the building’s roof. Since then, Representative Banks has failed to upgrade the school and to lobby for students and teachers’ wellbeing. The school is the only junior high school in the area, surrounded by elementary schools.
As the only junior high school in the area, the students, teachers and parents are calling on Representative Banks to upgrade the school, as they see the bush toilet as a death trap.
“When the sun is hot, snakes always run behind us when we go toilet in the bushes,” the vulnerable students said, showing bruises on their feet, faces and hands due to running from snakes. “When it rains, the bush can be nasty for us to toilet and the whole area smells bad.”
At present, the zinc over the school is rusty, causing students and teachers to see the sky through the zinc while in class.
Speaking for over 20 minutes through a WhatsApp’s call, Representative Banks said he can see, and no one can tell him what to do.
“You see how the road leading to the compound I am grading? I know what to do,” Representative Banks said, debunking all the allegations levied against him. He added that no one knows his next plan after upgrading the dusty road.
“Listen to me, you don’t know me well. Don’t listen to anybody, my works are planned,” Representative Banks said. After spending two years in power, he promised to do well for his constituents.
