The headmaster of Alembila D/A Basic School in the Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region, Festus Avalumboya, has appealed to the government to provide the school with teaching and learning materials, furniture, and potable water to improve educational outcomes and create a conducive learning environment for learners.

Established in 2011, the school initially operated in a thatched building which collapsed last year. Since then, learners have been studying under trees, often disrupted by adverse weather.

“Construction of the current building began in 2020 and is now roofed, but lacks chairs, tables, windows, and doors. The building has been completed and painted, but has not been handed over to us. Our major problem now is furniture, as there is no water in the community since the community borehole is not working.

“Students lie on their stomachs to write in this weather, which is not easy. Writing exams is always a challenge as we sit under trees. It's been tough. We urgently need furniture, water, and teaching materials," the headmaster narrated to GhanaWeb in a phone interview.

Pupils improvise by using blocks as makeshift furniture, despite the contractor's objections. There are no offices; the headmaster uses a toilet space for his office and to store books and school materials.

“The teaching and learning materials are not enough, we have just a few textbooks from the government. We need a lot more to expose the learners to. I used to have a toilet facility as an office, my books are still in there. When I contacted the contractor, he said the furniture aspect was not part of the contract. He has locked the facility and left the site.

“We are happy about the structure, but until the keys are handed to us, we will not be free. We are trying our best, but we are behind in terms of academics,” he lamented.

The school has over 100 pupils, but attendance fluctuates as older students are reluctant to use blocks as furniture.

He expressed hope that with the provision of adequate teaching materials, furniture, and access to water, enrollment would increase.

JKB/OGB