Bare floors, broken dreams: Jakpahi school pupils cry for help
Sitting on the bare floors for academic activities has become the only option for pupils of Jakpahi AME Zion Primary and Junior High School (JHS) in the Kumbungu District in the Northern Region.
The school lacks basic furniture, forcing the pupils to sit on the bare floor while others lie on their bellies for lessons.
With a student population of 500, the situation is negatively affecting teaching and learning in the school, as many pupils have dropped out.
Beyond the lack of furniture, the classroom floors are visibly cracked, posing a danger to the pupils.
For instance, the cracks serve as safe havens for harmful reptiles and other insects.
During a recent visit to the school, it was observed that some of the pupils were barefooted whiles others were in worn-out uniforms, which is affecting their confidence, dignity and sense of belonging in school.
Appeal
Some of the pupils, including Alhassan Faiza, Fuseini Lamnatu, Issahaku Haruna and Mohammed Mashoud, lamented the situation, describing it as the school’s most pressing challenge.
Pupils sitting on the bare floor with a visible crack in the classroom
They, therefore, appealed to the government, non-governmental organisations and benevolent individuals to come to their aid by providing them with a conducive learning environment in the school.
Impact
A teacher at the school, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the poor learning environment makes it difficult to maintain discipline, concentration and active participation of pupils during lessons.
According to him, the situation has contributed to increased school dropout, as some pupils prefer helping their parents on the farm to coming to school to sit on the bare floor.
“At the end of the day, pupils’ uniforms get dirty because they lie on the floor to write and read, and the cracks on the ground make sitting arrangements very uncomfortable,” he said.
He stressed that the provision of furniture, learning materials and basic infrastructure would significantly improve educational outcomes and safeguard the future of the children.
PTA efforts
In an interview, the Chairman of the Parents–Teachers Association (PTA), Alhassan Wumbei, said all efforts by the association to draw the authorities' attention to issues proved futile.
He indicated that some funds mobilised through PTA dues were used to procure some furniture, but all of them eventually broke due to overuse and poor quality.
“We are asking parents to pay again so we can fix the broken furniture, but they are refusing. They say politicians must provide these things because that is why they voted for them,” he said.
He added his voice to appeals for the provision of a decent learning environment for the pupils.
Intervention
The Assemblyman for the Jakpahi Electoral Area, Mahamud Baba Alhassan, acknowledged the challenge, stating that the situation was not peculiar to Jakpahi primary and junior high school, as many schools across the electoral areas in the district were in a similar shape.
“I was in the assembly when we approved a budget for furniture, but I am not sure whether the contract has been awarded,” he said.
He added that the District Chief Executive (DCE) had assured the assembly that furniture would be provided for the school, urging the assembly to fast-track the process to address the urgent needs of pupils.
Meanwhile, all efforts by the Daily Graphic to reach the District Chief Executive, Imoro Yakubu Kakpagu, for his response proved futile, as calls went unanswered.
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