Correspondence from Michael Oberteye, Eastern Region:

The headteacher and teachers of the Wawase M/A basic school in the Eastern Region are expressing concerns about poor infrastructure and the lack of befitting accommodation for teachers in the school.

The lack of a befitting accommodation facility for teachers, together with other needs, came to light during the celebration of the school's 40th anniversary on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, when they appealed for assistance to address the difficulties.

The unsightly structure made of mud and presently riddled with cracks is not conducive for sound occupation.

Seven teachers of the school are currently inhabiting the dilapidated building, which served as the school's first classroom block during its establishment 40 years ago.

The building has sharply deteriorated over the decades, leaving behind just a skeletal frame which currently serves as teachers' accommodation.

In an interview with GhanaWeb's Eastern Regional Correspondent, Michael Oberteye, the teachers emphasized the need for immediate action and expressed frustration over the situation.

The headteacher of the school, Mr Simon Kwesi Dameh, highlighted the problem and said the facility was not conducive to a sound education.

"We have an accommodation problem, our bungalow is not good for teachers to live in," stressed Mr. Dameh in an interview.

Highlighting other needs of the school, the school head cited inadequate teaching personnel, lack of teaching and learning resources, lack of potable drinking water, a befitting teachers' bungalow, lack of a computer laboratory, renovation of the old classroom block and the headteacher's office.

Other needs he mentioned include a transformer to provide power for the school and the poor road network leading to the school and the community.

He called on the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly, corporate organizations and philanthropists to come on board to help address the challenges.

A female teacher sharing her ordeal described the situation as "hard and tough." The only female among her colleagues said the poor accommodation situation was particularly dire for new teachers posted to the school, who usually found it difficult to adjust to the new environment.

Having taught at the school over the past three years, she bemoaned the poor state of the structure. Citing its hostile properties, she noted that teachers were only encouraged to live with the situation for the love of their pupils.

"Really, we're just trying our best because everything around here is very poor, we don't have water…we find it difficult really if it's your first time, you'll find it difficult," lamented Miss Mabel Odoi.

According to her, persistent appeals to the local Assembly for assistance to address the challenge have yielded no results so far.

The distance of the school to nearby communities does not offer the teachers the luxury of renting decent accommodation elsewhere, leaving them with no option either.

The lack of electricity in the school and community is also a cause of concern, especially towards information and communication technology (ICT) education, limiting its tutelage to just theory.

Though electric poles have been extended to the area, transformers are yet to be fixed to complete the power extension process.

Despite the challenges, the school recorded an impressive 100% pass rate in the 2023 BECE.




40th anniversary celebrations

Held on the theme, "Quality education: An effective tool for societal development," the celebration highlighted the school's rich history, achievements and the prospects of a bright future.

The school was founded by two brothers, Mr. John Kweku Annor and Mr. Samuel Doku Annor in 1984 before its approval in 1985.

Founded on the principles of excellence, integrity, and service, the founders envisioned a learning community that would nurture minds, foster creativity, and inspire leaders.

They succeeded in remaining committed to its values, adapting to the changing educational landscape while staying true to its mission.

The occasion was also used to celebrate the countless students who have made their mark on the world, dedicated teachers, past and present, parents and guardians, the alumni, SMC and PTA executives and the municipal education director.

Special Guest and Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Samuel Kwesi Tettey described the theme for the occasion, "Quality Education; A Powerful Tool for Societal Change" as very appropriate and in line with the GES' theme for the year, "Anything worth doing is worth doing well."

Underscoring the essence of quality education, he expressed: "Quality education is an educational approach that ensures all students gain the skills, knowledge, values and attributes needed for personal development, active citizenship, and employability."

According to Mr. Tettey, quality education also emphasizes critical thinking, creativity and lifelong learning, helping learners adapt to a rapidly changing world.




To access the required quality education, he called on various stakeholders to play their respective roles.

The director called on the local community which is a direct beneficiary of the education system to equally play its role in the development and sustenance of the school.

The director also encouraged the learners to put in their best to ensure that society receives the required change.

Assembly man for the Wawase Electoral Area, Solomon Korli Addo appealed for power and potable water supply to the community.

He also appealed for female health personnel to be posted to the health center in the community to complement the efforts of the only male attendant at the facility duty.