Pupils of Zaari D/A Basic School in the Garu District of the Upper East Region are grappling with severe challenges due to the absence of proper furniture and a deteriorating school structure. The alarming conditions have sparked concerns among both students and parents. The structure housing KG1 and KG2 classes is in a deplorable state, with portions of it torn off, exposing pupils to harsh weather.
Liman Akuka, a basic six pupil, shared with Hawknewsgh that the lack of furniture not only impacts their physical well-being but also obstructs their ability to concentrate during lessons. She said that the absence of adequate learning materials has compelled many students to drop out, seeking education in neighboring communities with better-equipped and secure structures.
“I feel so distressed about my school; sometimes when it is raining, we cannot sit in there and learn. So we are worried, and because of these problems, some of our colleagues transferred to different schools,” Akuka expressed.
Another student, Elizabeth Abdullai, lamented how the lack of furniture in the classrooms is affecting their health. She appealed to the Garu District Assembly, government, NGOs, and their Member of Parliament to come to their aid. “We don’t have furniture, and every time we come to class, we bend our necks to write, causing body pain. I consistently suffer pain in my back, neck, and waist, and if I go home, I can’t sleep,” she shared.
Elizabeth also emphasized how dirty uniforms add to their burden, as their mothers face challenges in keeping them clean due to financial constraints.
Ernest Abdullah, the Parent-Teacher Association (P.T.A.) Chairman, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that their children deserve quality education compared to their peers in other areas. He described the current school structure as a “death trap,” especially during the rainy season when lessons, particularly at the KG level, come to an abrupt end.
Mr. Ernest reiterated calls for immediate action, urging the government to prioritize the construction of a new school building.
The Headteacher of Zaari D/A Primary School, Kariyama Kofi Joseph, expressed frustration over the lack of response from authorities despite repeated complaints. He highlighted that the school’s enrollment has dwindled from 300 to 217, underscoring the urgent need for a new school structure to accommodate Kindergarten and basic one and three classes.
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