Pupils and students of the Abesim R/C Junior High School (JHS) in the Sunyani Municipality of the Bono Region struggle each day to access basic education.
The students are studying in congested classrooms, making concentration almost impossible because of the noise and heat in the classrooms.
The school, with a population of 355 students, faces challenges that extend beyond overcrowding.
It also suffers from a shortage of essential teaching and learning resources, such as computers.
Digital literacy
In an era where digital literacy is essential, the school’s computer lab is outdated with insufficient computers, making practical lessons nearly impossible.
The Headmaster of the school, Augustine Boadu-Gyamfi, told the Daily Graphic that a class meant for 35 students is currently accommodating 65 students.
The situation, he said, made it very difficult for teachers to control, move around in the classroom and offer assistance to some struggling students.
Aside from that, the students are conducting academic activities in an old and incomplete facility, which exposes them to heat and leakages from the roof when it rains.
Adding to the school’s woes is a three-unit classroom block project initiated by the parent-teacher association (PTA) to ease congestion, but it has been abandoned.
Another compelling challenge in the school is the limited furniture for the school’s 22 teachers.
According to the school authorities, the situation makes it difficult for teachers to conduct some academic activities, such as the marking of scripts, and undermines effective teaching and learning.
Support
It is in the light of these that a microfinance institution, ASA Savings and Loans Ltd, presented 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and other items to the school.
The institution also presented 300 customised exercise books, different types of dustbins and 10 boxes of pens to the school, to improve academic activities.
Lily Opoku Mensah (2nd from left), Corporate Social Responsibility Sustainability Officer, ASA Savings and Loans Ltd, presenting the items to Augustine Boadu-Gyamfi, Headmaster of the school
The presentation formed part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme under its education support initiative.
The Headmaster, Mr Boadu-Gyamfi, said that with the donation, all the 22 teachers would now have tables and chairs to conduct their academic activities.
He said that despite the challenges, teachers in the school continued to demonstrate their commitment and improvised with limited resources to keep lessons going.
Mr Baodu-Gyamfi said the performance of the school continued to attract many students and appealed to the government, the community and non-profit organisations to come to the school’s aid.
"We are calling for the completion of the PTA abandoned project, the provision of more classrooms and computers and the renovation of existing structures to provide a safe and conducive learning environment," he stated.
He thanked ASA for the donation, explaining that the presentation had resolved one of their many challenges.
Quality education
The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Sustainability Officer at ASA Savings and Loans Ltd, Lily Opoku Mensah, said the company was committed to supporting the government to provide quality education.
She said the institution had been donating similar items to schools across the country, particularly deprived schools, to deal with the plight of the students.
Mrs Mensah said the presentation was aimed at resolving educational and environmental challenges in the school to enhance teaching and learning and improve the health of the students.
She urged the school to make good use of the furniture and use the dustbins to improve the sanitation situation in the school.
Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh
