Mfensi holds forum to address persistent defecation in the classrooms

Mfensi (Ash), Nov. 25, GNA - The Mfensi community has provided adequate doors and windows at the cost of 10 million cedis at all classrooms of the local basic school as a measure to curb the persistent defecation in the classrooms, Nana Boakye Yiadom, the Mfensihene, has said.

Speaking at an education forum at Mfensi in the Atwima district on Tuesday, Nana Boakye Yiadom said toilet facilities would be provided at vantage areas in the community to improve sanitation and environmental hygiene.

The forum was organised by the Atwima district education directorate as a follow-up to a news report of persistent defecation in classrooms and the school premises of the basic school, which led to street demonstrations, and boycott of classes by the teachers and pupils.

Chiefs, elders, assembly and unit committee members, School Management Committee (SMC), Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), teachers and other opinion leaders, attended the forum. Nana Boakye Yiadom condemned the incidence, which, he said, not only tarnished the image of the community but also undermined effective teaching and learning. Mr. Baffour Asare-Bediako, an Assistant Director of Education, implored the community to create a serene and congenial atmosphere that would motivate the teachers to improve performance for the children's benefit. He called for adequate security and protection for teachers and pupils as well as the educational infrastructure, adding, "where there is no conformed rules and regulations, there is disorder resulting in chaos and instability". Mr Asare-Bediako warned that the directorate would not hesitate to re-post the teachers if the community failed to stop defecation in the classrooms. Mr J.A. Yeboah, the Abuakwa circuit supervisor, advised the parents to encourage their school-going age children to go to school and also provide their basic needs. Mr. Awonto Atenga, the SMC chairman, who provided said the community has strengthened security at the school and a task force formed to mount intensive surveillance to arrest perpetrators who defecate in classrooms and the school premises. Meanwhile, the teachers have resumed classes and teaching and learning was progressing smoothly.