By: Benjamin Owusu | Voltonlinegh |
Lives of pupils and teachers of Ofosu Battor M/A Basic School in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region are at risk as the classroom block in the school can best be described as a death trap.
The structure meant for academic work is an old building with visibly developed cracks and has parts of its roofing ripped off.
A visit by this reporter to the school revealed that the 3-unit classroom block constructed by residents of Ofosu Battor (a farming community) since 1974 never witnessed any renovation work and in a deplorable state forcing teachers to out of fear for their lives, prefer to have classes under trees.
The reporter observed that the school with an enrollment of over 150, aside inadequate classrooms, lacked classroom furniture, and educational materials needed to enhance teaching and learning in the school.
Head teacher of the school, Frank Nimo bemoaned the numerous challenges facing the school which he blamed for parents’ reluctance to enroll their wards in the school but rather engage them in farming and/or fishing.
Mr. Nimo appealed to the government, the municipal assembly and other individuals or groups to help in providing the school with classroom building and, teaching and learning materials to improve on the quality of education.
One teacher, Dominic Benyanase added to the head teacher’s call by appealing to stakeholders and other agencies to support the school with the basic needs to enhance academic performance.
Speaking to Voltaonlinegh News, Togbe Kwame Azumah III, chief of the area said the deplorable nature of the school built through the efforts of community members was due to neglect by the authorities who chose to turn a blind eye to the situation.
He indicated that the school which was absorbed by government some 45 years ago has not benefitted any infrastructural development from the government.
He therefore called on the appropriate authorities to come to the school’s aid to avoid any future disaster.
Some school children in an interview, mentioned the lack of classrooms and learning materials as a major concern and called on the government for an urgent support to enable them have access to basic education.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
