New Fence Takes Shape Around the Main Chapel

Ocer sits on about a hundred acres of land. Since the inception of the school, there has been a pressing need to fence its perimeter. For several reasons, however, this need has remained largely unmet.

Iron sheets from the old fence making way for the new fence

The open and porous boundaries have, from time to time, been exploited by outsiders—and, unfortunately, insiders—for purposes that are not always noble. This has prompted the school administration to resort to a number of stop-gap measures. Some sections of the school perimeter, for instance, have been secured with iron sheets, barbed wire and even thorny flowers. Erecting a solid wall, although a long-standing desire, has so far proved elusive.

More than 3, 000 bricks were made within the school in anticipation of the work

Some of the bricks drying in the sun

Difficulties notwithstanding, something has to be done. Rather than wait for the day when the entire school can be fenced at once, a more modest strategy has been adopted: start small and build from there.

Trees were also affected by the change

This term, fencing work has begun at one of the more vulnerable sections around the main chapel. An 11-metre brick wall is being erected to replace an iron-sheet fence that has proved unreliable and unsustainable. The old-fashioned fence has been exploited not only by ill-intentioned human friends but also by the indomitable termites, which have arrogantly resisted every effort to eliminate them.

A section of the new wall under construction

The new wall therefore comes not a moment too soon. Besides providing greater security, it will give the area around the main chapel a more permanent and orderly appearance.

Masons in action

We hope that the fencing work around the main chapel will mark the beginning of a progressive effort, whenever resources permit. The ultimate objective is an Ocer enclosed by a solid perimeter wall.