Labone SHS receives 3,000 desks after The Mirror’s story on how freshers were sitting on floors for lessons
Following a story in The Mirror last Saturday, the labone Senior High School in Accra has received 3000 new desks from the Ministry of Education.
The Mirror reported on the severe shortage of furniture in the school that left many newly admitted students sitting on the floor to learn or crowded on dining hall benches.
Related article: Freshers at Labone SHS sit on floors for lessons - Due to shortage of desks
When this reporter visited the school on Wednesday, November 26, the Headmistress, Madam Rejoice Akua Acorlor, confirmed the development, describing the arrival of the desks as a major relief for both staff and students.
“Between yesterday and this morning, Labone Senior High School has received 2000 pieces of classroom and we are expecting 1,000 more before the close of today,” she said.
She explained that the shortage was caused by an increase in admissions at the beginning of the academic year.
She noted that the school initially requested 750 new students but received 1,020 through auto-placement (Computerised School Placement
System).
More students, she added, were later brought in under the policy of “leaving no student behind”, who were admitted because the school had the facilities. Madam Acorlor said that the school had already made a formal request for additional desks and had been assured of support
from the Ghana Education Service (GES).
“Around the same time, we made requisitions for additional tables and chairs. The Regional Director General of Education assured us last week that they would make provision for 3,282 classroom tables and chairs for our students. So, we were expecting it yesterday,” she explained.
She added that the desks delivered on the first day were immediately arranged in classrooms and were already being used by students.
“In fact, those that came yesterday were arranged in the classrooms, and the students have started using it, and as you can see, we have 1,000 packed at the 83 Square.
That will be placed in the classrooms today,” she said.
The headmistress explained that the school had been in constant communication with its supervisors and had already received assurances before the story in The Mirror.
“We updated our employers very frequently, and the Director General of Education is aware, and he assured us. Even last Tuesday, on the 18th, the Director General sent a message to us to expect delivery of classroom tables and chairs. So, we informed our security to let any vehicle carrying classroom furniture in.”
“So, that was our expectation. So, little did we know that our situation was on air. Because we knew our employers were making frantic efforts to get us tables and chairs for use by our students,” she
noted.
She added that the school was expecting more to make up the promised total of 3,282.
Commenting on the arrival of the desks, Form One General Arts student, Felix Anoff, expressed relief that they would not have to ‘perch’ by a mate or worry about securing a seat before classes start.
“Now, I don’t have to worry about sharing a seat with two, three or four people or even having to come very early to secure a seat. These desks are very good and will help us,” he said.
Another student, a Form Three General Arts student, Asenath, said it was a relief that the furniture had come, especially for her juniors.
She added that they faced the same problem when they were in Form One, so the arrival of the new desks made her happy, as there would be fewer distractions and congestion during lessons.
