Declining enrolment, poor infrastructure justified 70-year-old Tendamba School demolition – Pelpuo

Member of Parliament for Wa Central, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has defended the demolition of the 70-year-old Tendamba Primary School to make way for the Wa Municipal segment of the proposed 24-hour economy market.

The school was demolished on June 13, 2026, following months of public opposition and legal action over the decision.

Speaking to Citi News, Dr Pelpuo said the demolition was necessary because the school's infrastructure had deteriorated significantly while enrolment had also declined over the years.

He explained that the primary school was relocated to the existing Tendamba JSS site, where both schools can now operate from the same location under the Tendamba name.

“Enrolment was reducing, and the buildings were so old and needed to be worked on, either to break down and rebuild them or to do major renovation works. They decided to break it down and rebuild,” he said.

Dr Pelpuo said the new facility provides pupils with improved classrooms and a more attractive learning environment, while the relocation has created space for the proposed market.

He acknowledged concerns over the demolition of a school with decades of history but maintained that the decision was a necessary compromise.

“It touches the heart of everybody when they start talking about, 'This is an old school and you are breaking it to build a market.' It is a sacrifice we had to make,” he said.

Dr Pelpuo stressed that the school has not been lost, but rebuilt and relocated while retaining its original name.

“Painfully, the school had to be rebuilt and still given the same name,” he added.

-citinewsroom