Stories from Michael Boateng
Pupils of Techiman Methodist Junior High School in the Bong Ahafo Region have bemoaned the unconcerned attitude of their authorities towards getting them decent classrooms for effective teaching and learning.
The pupils were expressing their displeasure about studying under trees in an interview with B/A File on the school compound.
The deplorable nature and inadequate school building has force the school to hold classes under trees, which is not conducive for effective teaching and learning.
According to sources, parents have started withdrawing their children from the school, due to this problem.
Some of the pupils, who spoke with B/A File, expressed their readiness to undertake a peaceful march to the Techiman Municipal Education Office to drum home their concern.
Ironically, a storey building, which was constructed about 5 years ago by the government for the Primary division of the school, is idling.
Though construction work is not yet complete, the students are appealing to the necessary authorities to temporarily hand over the building to them, until they get a new classroom block.
The Assistant Headmaster of the School, David Baason, said the Techiman Municipal Assembly had promised to construct a six-unit classroom block for them.
He, therefore, called on the assembly to expedite action on the project, in order to alleviate their problem.
When contacted, the Deputy Minister for Education, Alex Kyeremeh, shared their concern, but advised schools in dire need of infrastructure to apply to the ministry, through their District Directorate of Education, for urgent attention.
Until something urgent is done to get decent classrooms for the Techiman Methodist Junior High School, these students will continue to study under the trees for a very long time.