By Christian Appleton
Harper, Maryland County | September 9, 2025: A storm of controversy has erupted in Maryland County after the Dorbor Bedell Foundation’s initiative to renovate the Harper Demonstration School was abruptly halted, leading to student protests, parental outrage, and a war of words between local government officials and civil society actors.
The Harper Demonstration School, home to over 600 Liberian students, has long been plagued by crumbling infrastructure, leaking roofs, and unsafe classrooms. For years, local administrators and parents appealed for assistance to restore dignity to the aging educational facility—but their cries were largely ignored. That changed when the Dorbor Bedell Foundation, led by philanthropist Mr. Dorbor Bedell, stepped in with a $41,000 renovation project aimed at revitalizing the school and giving hope to the community.
However, just days into the construction, the project was ordered to a halt by Maryland County Superintendent Henry B. Cole, citing procedural concerns. According to Superintendent Cole, the Foundation had failed to submit proper project specifications and did not consult with the County Administration before initiating the work.
“The government has a procedure for its operations… All work must cease immediately,” Cole wrote in an official press statement, adding that those involved would be held accountable for noncompliance. “We will not tolerate any group disrespecting or undermining the administration under the guise of development.”
The decision sparked immediate backlash from the Dorbor Bedell Foundation and members of the local community. In a sharply worded press release dated September 5, the Foundation condemned the County Superintendent’s actions as a betrayal of public trust and an obstruction to the right to education.
“This is not leadership but a betrayal of the people’s trust,” the Foundation stated. “Over a thousand children are now abandoned in broken classrooms while the children of the elite attend private institutions. We refuse to be silent in the face of this injustice.”
The situation further escalated when Mr. Bedell announced that his team had withdrawn materials and suspended operations. Though the County Education Officer, Larry Nimely, later responded with a letter requesting proper project specifications—attaching a template to guide the process—the damage had already been done. Confusion, delays, and growing public frustration followed.
The situation reached a boiling point on Tuesday, September 9, when hundreds of students from Harper Demonstration School—joined by peers from other institutions—staged a peaceful protest in the streets of Harper. Holding placards and chanting slogans like “No building, no lesson!” and “We want our school back!”, the students marched to the administration building to present their petition.
Student Council Government President Melvin S.K. Dennis demanded answers:
“We want to know why we are out of school while our colleagues are in classes. Why was the project stopped? That’s the reason we are here.”
Parents also expressed growing anxiety. Emmanuel Nagbe, Chairman of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, criticized the administrative hold-up, emphasizing the urgent need to reopen the school.
“The time for school to resume is too close for such bureaucracy. If the Foundation is being stopped, then the government must step in immediately to finish the renovation. Our children cannot be sitting at home while others are learning.”
Local resident Jackson W. Williams Jr. issued a public statement urging constructive dialogue and calling for an impartial investigation into the disruption.
“The situation is a significant setback… Our children’s right to education must transcend politics. We must move beyond blame and work collaboratively for sustainable solutions.”
Superintendent Cole initially insisted no official order had been given to stop the work and later characterized the matter as politically exaggerated. In a Facebook post, he wrote:
“The school renovation is moving forward… We are working with Mr. Dorbor Bedell to ensure the project meets public school standards. I’m pleased to report that the county will help share the costs. We are also exploring ways to temporarily relocate students during the renovation.”
Shortly after, Mr. Bedell also posted on social media, expressing renewed optimism and commitment to resume work.
“I am fully committed to renovating the Harper Demonstration School building and work is expected to restart tomorrow. We thank Superintendent Cole for his input and ask students and parents to exercise patience.”
As of the time of reporting, renovation activities were expected to resume, with both the Foundation and local authorities claiming to have resolved their misunderstandings. The revised plan includes elevating the roof to meet safety standards, consulting county engineers, and establishing clearer communication protocols between stakeholders.
Despite this apparent resolution, many in the community remain skeptical. The episode has highlighted deeper issues of mistrust, lack of coordination, and the politicization of education. What was meant to be a community-driven renovation turned into a flashpoint for larger questions about leadership, governance, and the rights of young Liberians to a quality education.
For now, students, parents, and educators in Harper are watching closely. Whether this hard-earned momentum can lead to meaningful, sustained progress—or whether it becomes another episode in Liberia’s long struggle to rebuild its public schools—remains to be seen.
“The children of Harper deserve better,” the Foundation reiterated. “And we will not stop raising our voices until they get it.”
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