I had one of the saddest experiences in my life when on Saturday, November 18, 2006, I accompanied a friend of mine to visit his younger sister of fifteen years at the Accra Girls Secondary school. We were there earlier than the mandatory visiting hours and so were not allowed in by the security guard on duty. Let me pat him on the shoulders for his rigorous enforcement of the law.

When we were finally ushered in, I began to take a critical look at the school environment and also chat with some of the students that came my way. I also took the opportunity to find out if their teachers have once again resumed intensive teaching and if they had, whether they were not mis-teaching them. I was informed that even though the physical presence of the teachers was visible, but for those organising extra classes and charging students fees ranging from 60,000 to 350,000 cedis, serious academic work was absent. Names of teachers handling Maths, Biology and Costing came up for particular mention.

Whilst some were being named for exploitation, names of two teachers, especially one Ms. Agyeman came up for special commendation. Hear one student “even if she is in labour or on her sick bed, this woman will crawl, if she has to, to come and teach to your understanding. How I wish all other teachers were like her.” And she was not the only one as many of the students I spoke to corroborated her story. Will any philanthropic individual, organisation and even the powers that be acknowledge this patriot? Will the acknowledgement of her meritorious service not compel other teachers to behave in such manner? The other teacher is one Mr. Abasima. The form three students wonder why this “brake” (to wit, a genius) of a mathematics teacher is rather not being made to handle them especially against the backdrop of recent events and the time left for the WASSCE. When are we going to honour heroes who go the extra mile, even at the expense of scornful taunts from their colleagues, just to assist our future leaders?

Now to the main source of concern which gave rise to this article-the sordid state of infrastructural facilities in the school. Although the school has a residential student population of over 800, there are only fifty-three (53) dinning tables. As much as about 14 to 20 people are cramped together at a single table during meals, with some even having to stand. Information from some of the students who pleaded anonymity has it that the food is served with one ladle to a student such that at certain times, some of them don’t even get served. Are we serious?

What about the assembly hall and library and classrooms? The library has only three tables surrounded by nineteen (19) rusty metal chairs. The assembly hall is yearning for renovation and expansion. The same goes for the classrooms. In this era of civilisation, a school like Accra Girls has its students sitting on rusty and worn out metal chairs, which are pleading to be painted, for classes. What sort of proper academic work can go on in such a “comfortable” seating environment?

The inner of the Art Shed (for the visual Arts students) has been painted courtesy the students’ own contributions. However, the shed, a classroom in itself, has no louver blades or even mosquito proof nets to serve as a cordon against malaria outbreaks and other epidemics. A department as the visual arts one even lacks a notice board to display the scholarly paintings of the students.

At the nutrition department, despite the availability of gas stoves, cookers, and cylinders, students use coal pots and charcoal for practicals, under the guise of there is no money to buy gas. How many practical home economic lessons are carried out within a week? Is money not spent on buying the charcoal and kerosene? Aren’t we over-prioritising science and mathematics education at the expense of other equally important areas?

What is the government and other stakeholders like P.T.As, alumni, District Assemblies, e.t.c, doing to assist in ameliorating the situation? What about the chiefs and opinion leaders with vested interests in the continued and lively existence of the school?

With the increasing number of student intakes due to the government’s laudable initiatives of the capitation grant, school feeding programme, free bus ride among others at the basic schools, it is about time conditions in Accra Girls’ Secondary School and other schools with similar problems are looked at.

By the way, is it true that the headmistress, one Ms. Victoria Akaparmi, has been there for far too long? Will a new hand not help? Is it not true that familiarity breeds contempt and that an over-staying visitor is boredom to his/her guest?

Hmm!!! Will you pause and take an ethnic census of the teaching staff of the school? I have not preached anything oo!!! Don’t get me wrong.

Wait a minute! Did I tell you that Hon. Kan Dapaah and Hon. Quashigah (both ministers), Mr. Rojo Mettle Nunoo (a leading member of the largest opposition party, the N.D.C), and Hon. Osafo Maafo (a former minister of education and sports, who I am told did his best) all have their children and wards in the school?

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