We're not fed on cassava - Mfantsiman students

The headmistress and students of the Mfantsiman Girls Secondary School at Saltpond have denied an allegation in a letter published in the Wednesday, July 11 edition of the 'Daily Graphic' that students of the school were regularly fed on boiled cassava.

The letter, written by one Robert Owusu of Accra-North, also alleged among other things that form one and two students were compelled to sleep in pairs in the dormitories and study under open sheds, exposed to the ravages of the weather and mosquitoes as a result of excess intake of fresh students.

The students and their headmistress Mrs Elizabeth Croffie, made the denial when the Ghana News Agency went to the school on Wednesday to ascertain the situation.

The students, showed their displeasure at the allegations when Mrs Croffie read Mr Owusu's letter and another letter published in the 'Statesman' bordering on similar allegations, to them, particularly on insanitary conditions in the school which the writers claimed posed a health hazard.

Mrs Croffie, described boiled cassava and stew, which she said was fed the students just once in a week, as a traditional meal not only of the school in most communities in the Central Region. Students who obviously enjoy that meal refer to it as spring rolls and salad.

Mrs Croffie said she had been compelled to admit students in excess because of pressure, often from high public officials. "These things happen and then people turn round to accuse you," she lamented.

She also denied that the open huts, which are used as reception areas for visitors, have become permanent classrooms and said they are only used as rotating classrooms whenever all the students have classes running con-currently.

She spoke about efforts being made to rectify the situation, saying she has submitted estimates for the building of an additional 12-classroom block, which the ministry of education is yet approve.

Mrs Croffie said excess intake and inadequate facilities are problems in most second cycle institutions and her school could not be singled out for query.

She said it is not true that she has been staying away from school to conduct her private business and described the allegations as an attempt by some people to have her removed from the school.