Barely two months after a Graphic Online report highlighted the plight of a lone teacher handling all 12 classes at Kakpeni D/A Basic School in the Kpandai District in the Northern Region, the school has begun receiving support, bringing renewed hope to teachers, pupils, and the community.
Mr Samuel Donkor, the teacher who gained public attention for single-handedly teaching pupils from Kindergarten through Junior High School and popularly referred to as the "One Man Contractor," has expressed gratitude to Graphic Online for shedding light on the school's challenges.
According to him, the publication of the story, which went viral, has already yielded positive results, with two additional teachers posted to the school to support teaching and learning activities.
Mr Donkor who handled the school for four years alone said "the report has reinforced our commitment and dedication to quality teaching and learning. If not for this report, we would not have had these interventions. We appreciate the media and the speedy manner in which the authorities started responding with solutions," Mr Donkor said.
He disclosed that following the publication, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kpandai visited the school to assess the situation firsthand and pledged support to address some of the pressing challenges confronting the school.
Mr Donkor said part of the furniture promised by the DCE had already been delivered to the school to help address the severe shortage of furniture.
Commendation
Speaking in an interview after visiting the school following the Graphic Online report, the District Chief Executive for Kpandai, Haruna Abdul-Karim, commended the Daily Graphic for its consistent and impactful reportage on the development challenges confronting the district, describing the newspaper as a key partner in the district's development agenda.
According to the DCE, the media's role in highlighting critical issues affecting communities across the district has helped draw the attention of government agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders to the needs of the area.
Mr Abdul-Karim noted that the Daily Graphic has over the period remained committed to reporting on pressing concerns such as poor road networks, healthcare infrastructure, educational challenges, and other socio-economic issues affecting residents of the district.
Samuel Donkor, handled all 12 classes at Kakpeni D/A Basic School in the Kpandai District in the Northern Region
He said such reports have not only informed the public but have also contributed significantly to advocacy efforts aimed at securing interventions for underserved communities.
Mr Abdul-Karim emphasised that constructive media reports serve as an important accountability tool that encourages duty bearers to respond to the needs of citizens while promoting transparency in governance.
The DCE called on journalists to continue their professional and balanced reporting by highlighting both the challenges and progress being made in the district.
He reaffirmed the Kpandai District Assembly's commitment to working closely with the media to promote development, accountability and inclusive growth.
River Dakar bridge
Commenting on the community's long-standing call for a bridge across the River Dakar, the DCE disclosed that the Assembly had written to the Ministry of Roads and Highways to consider constructing a bridge to improve connectivity and movement within the district.
According to him, the proposed bridge would make rural communities in the catchment area more accessible and help attract and retain teachers posted to the area.
Mr Donkor also commended the Kpandai District Director of Education and the DCE for facilitating the posting of the two teachers and providing furniture support.
More teachers
Despite the interventions, Mr Donkor noted that the school continues to face a significant teacher deficit and appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education to consider posting additional teachers to the school during the next teacher recruitment and deployment exercise.
"Two teachers have reported and are helping, but we still need more. Looking at the Junior High School alone, we need several subject teachers, while the primary and kindergarten sections also require adequate staffing. We appeal to the authorities to consider Kakpeni when the next postings begin later this month," he stated.
Beyond staffing challenges, residents and teachers have renewed calls for the government and the Ministry of Roads and Highways to construct a bridge across the River Dakar between Kachinke and Nanjuro to improve access to the area.
According to community members, the absence of a bridge continues to hinder transportation, healthcare delivery, educational access, and economic activities, while also discouraging teachers from accepting postings to the community.
Mr Donkor recounted the difficulties encountered while transporting furniture to the school, noting that they were stranded for several hours due to challenges crossing the river.
He added that residents often depend on canoes without life jackets or other safety equipment to cross the river, exposing them to considerable risk.
Teacher Incentives
One of the newly posted teachers, Simon Uwumborlayi, told Graphic Online that the community had warmly received them and that efforts were being made to ensure pupils receive quality education despite the challenges.
Mr Uwumborlayi also appealed for incentives to encourage teachers to accept and remain in rural postings.
Gratitude
The Chairman of the School Management Committee (SMC), Mr Timutun N-nubi, thanked the DCE, the District Directorate of Education, and the government for their swift response following the publication of the story and appealed for the construction of a dedicated Junior High School block to address overcrowding in the primary section.
According to him, JHS pupils currently occupy three classrooms originally intended for primary school pupils, forcing some classes to be merged and creating congestion.
Students who also spoke to Graphic Online acknowledged improvements since the arrival of the two teachers.
They expressed appreciation for the furniture supplied to the school but appealed for more teachers to further improve teaching and learning conditions.
The interventions, though modest, have demonstrated the impact of media advocacy in drawing attention to challenges facing underserved communities.
Residents remain hopeful that continued government support will help transform Kakpeni D/A Basic School and create a more conducive environment for learning.
