The Asuofia D/A Basic School in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region is grappling with the aftermath of heavy rains that tore through the area, leaving destruction in its wake.
The school, which serves as an educational hub for hundreds of children and their teachers, now faces significant challenges, disrupting teaching and learning activities.
When Dailymailgh.com visited the school, it was observed that the entire block was in ruins. The roofs of most of the classrooms were gone, with the ceiling helplessly rotting away, leaving the furniture at the mercy of the scorching sun and the rains.
The nursery block had also collapsed exposing the schoolchildren to various hazards. The windows and doors of the classrooms were not spared, paving the way for stray animals and mentally challenged persons to make it their haven.
Final-year pupil Falisha Iddrisu shares the plight of students, revealing how the once vibrant classrooms are now unusable due to roof damage. She says they are forced to share limited space with their counterparts, creating a crowded and challenging environment for academic activities.
“The situation is disturbing”, Iddrisu told dailymailgh.com. “You know the 3A and the 3C classrooms collapsed and I am in 3A; now we don’t have any class to study in. The only class we are using now has a ripped-off roof and as you can see, when it rains it means academic work has been grounded”.
Another student said, “Since the rainstorm came two weeks ago, we have been affected and we don’t have any classes to attend. The situation becomes unbearable during the heat. We are writing our mock next week, but we don’t have a classroom to sit the exams. Even the primary pupils have been asked to stay home and we are now occupying the classroom”.
Asomana Baba-jida, a unit committee member, describes the current state of the school as the worst in its three-decade history. The gravity of the situation is underscored by the urgent need for intervention to address the damage caused by the rains. While the District Assembly has released funds for renovation works, he is advocating for more substantial assistance, pushing for the construction of a new school block.
“Some of the buildings are very weak and we don’t know what will happen in the coming days. We are just fortunate that the incident didn’t happen during the day. So, we are pleading with the government to help us with new buildings. Asuofia Asamang has produced many intellectuals and as I said the community was relocated due to the Barekese Dam. They were promised some interventions including free electricity and water but that did not happen. But I pray the government to intervene so that academic work in the school resumes fully”, he said.
The story of Asuofia D/A Basic School sheds light on the immediate need for support and intervention, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to restore a conducive learning environment for the affected students and teachers.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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