Pupils Turn Cement Blocks as Table To Study On

Despite several interventions by the government to improve teaching and learning in various levels of education, a lot remains undone, following the emergence of a video of pupils sitting on blocks in an uncompleted classroom studying.

The viral video, from the Pinvori community in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district of the Savanah Region, has broken many hearts, with some asking why after 66 years of independence, authorities are unable to provide decent and conducive environment for pupils to study.

The three minutes video, sighted by The Anchor, shows scores of pupils sitting on blocks in what appears to be an uncompleted classroom studying.

In some of the classrooms, not only are the pupils sitting on blocks to learn, but goats were seen occupying some of the rooms, as there are no doors.

The pupils, few of whom wore school uniforms, had others in mufti, while their books found space on some of the packed blocks serving as tables. Their bowls for free school feeding, were also seen placed by their sides.

The poster of the video, who expressed disgust about the situation, said the facility is an old school, but has seen no facelift over the years.

According to him, teachers who are posted to the school do not last there, adding only those with passion, stay to manage the situation.

A brief tour of the school, showed classrooms with no doors, no tables. Parent Association (PA) who come to the school for regular meetings come with benches from their houses because of the absence of tables and chairs.

While, Ghanaians continue to express concern about the disturbing nature of the situation, neither the Member of Parliament (MP), Andrew Dari Chiwitey, the District Chief Executive (DCE), the Ghana Education Service (GES) or the Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has commented on the video.

Contractor Locks Up School

In a related development, pupils of the Roman Catholic Primary School in Akyem Asene, situated in the Asene Manso Akroso district of the Eastern Region, were yesterday stranded, as the contractor for the school project had locked up the premises.

The contractor, Agyekum Kontor, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kontor Sadea and Sons Company Limited, according to Starrfm.com.gh, took this drastic step to demand payment from the government, which he claims has been pending for over seven years.

Mr Kontor, asserts that, despite completing the school project more than seven years ago, he is yet to receive payment from the district assembly.

Frustrated by the prolonged delay and what he describes as unfulfilled promises, Mr Kontor, has resorted to locking up the school building until his outstanding payment is settled.

In his statement to the media, Mr Kontor, expressed his frustration with the district assembly and government, accusing them of repeatedly delaying and evading payment, despite his fulfillment of all contractual obligations.

“I have constructed this classroom block since 2016, but I have not been paid. They should pay by tomorrow. I have been at GETFUND for many times, but they haven’t paid me. Sadly, they are all over the place claiming they have paid all contractors. Meanwhile, that is not the case. They have not paid me a penny, but I handed over the facility to them in 2021.”

The contracted added “I have shut down the school on two occasions, which the DCE intervened to beg. Whenever I shut down the school, they come to beg me and out of compassion for the children I open it, but now I am broke”

He emphasized that, until he receives the payment owed him, he will not reopen the school for the children.

The plight of the school children was evident as some expressed their frustration, unsure whether to wait at the locked gates or return home.

The school authorities, said uncertainty caused by the closure of the school, highlights the urgency of resolving the payment dispute between the contractor and the government.

Source: Anchorghana.com