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11.04.2016 Opinion

The Plight Of Shiayennoh JHS In Accra

By Malik S.Y Basintale
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11.04.2016 LISTEN

Over the years, we have focused so much in discovering and deliberating on neglected schools only in regions we consider as less­-privileged or under-developed whiles we obliviate and overlook the public schools within the millennium city, Accra. One may wonder whether these Government institutions within the capital city which are supposed to serve as a bedrock to others around the country have been deliberately ignored or assumed perfect.

For the past few weeks, another disheartening incident within the educational sector has succeeded in catching the attention of the whole nation and this without doubt is a gigantic blow to the face of our beloved nation after 59 years of managing our own resources and affairs.

One can openly give credit to the rapid manner in which the Kperisi primary school crisis was solved and also laud the massive efforts put in place by all sundry in curtailing the plight of those future leaders.

The issue at kperisi primary school in the Wa municipality is not one which is new to the eye or ear of Ghanaians. We have heard the stories of students who absent themselves from school for weeks whenever it rains or whenever a little storm occurs due to old and worn-out infrastructure that have not been maintained for many years. We have also seen students sit under trees for lessons and some “privileged ones” using umbrellas as a means of blocking direct sunlight whiles been taught in an open area by some few passionate teachers.

Thankfully, this situation has been decreasing over the years due to the exertion of government and some private organisations who contribute through corporate social responsibilities in making the educational sector a craving one for the younger generation.

Yet still, with these massive improvements in Ghana’s education, we still see schools like Shiayennoh JHS right under the auspices of Accra who share in the plights of kperisi primary school and other unfortunate ones up north. The school may look a little pleasant and beautiful from afar and therefore wouldn’t even create the need for any investigations due to its outlook.

The situation of a Public school like Shiayennoh JHS which is situated at one of the most developed areas in Accra called Tesano, has a total population of about 300 students who practice a furniture shift system by waiting for other classes to end before they can get access to a few broken furniture to sit or lie on for effective teaching to go on in their classrooms. During this migration process, many of the students get injured each day and with the Lack of facilities such as a First Aid clinic, these aggrieved students have to cater for themselves by trying as much as possible to endure the pain until they go home.

Presently at the school, we have about 110 candidates steadily preparing for their Basic Education Certificate Examination which comes off a few weeks from now. Some of these candidates have to sit on one desk in threes whiles others stand during lessons just to catch up with their academic hours. These same candidates without a library or I.C.T Laboratory would have ICT as part of their national examination.

At the end of the day, our grading system is described as “fair” because it treats all manner of persons notwithstanding of your age, colour, gender or situation equally. These unfortunate students within the parameters of Accra who walk by schools of their colleagues everyday staring enviously at their luxurious classrooms with all their physical and mental comfort would have to compete with them in attending some of the best schools in Ghana such as; Prempeh College, Mfansiman senior high school, Tamale secondary school, Accra Academy and many more.

The despondent and gloomy story of kperisi really marvelled many concerned citizens who never believed in the existence of such a situation and this to a larger extent aroused a level of despair to the future of our dear nation. This matter was also debated by various Municipal and district chief executives, opposition communicators and many more intellectuals as if it was the Last school with such a situation.

The students of these schools are part of the only retirement benefits of mother Ghana when she finally turns 60 next year. Therefore even as we proceed in completing the 200 new schools or promise to build 350 new schools when given the chance, let us also remember to fix and modernize the old ones because these new ones would carry the stories of the old ones in the near future.

Our educational system must be lifted in high esteem, and with our collective efforts as students of this nation, we shall swiftly find the golden key to success.

Malik S.Y Basintale,
Student Welfare Analyst,
University Of Ghana.
(0540444414)

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