Ayuusi Yinne Junior High School, located at Kalbeo in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region, is facing serious infrastructural and sanitation challenges that are hampering effective teaching and learning.
The school, one of the largest in its circuit, has a total student population of 185. Each form has only one classroom, resulting in severe overcrowding and strained teaching conditions. Basic Seven (Form One) and Basic Eight (Form Two) each have 68 pupils, while Basic Nine (Form Three) has about 49. Teachers reportedly find it difficult to move between the rows to monitor students during lessons or mark exercises promptly due to the large numbers in each class.
The furniture situation has further worsened the problem, with many pupils compelled to sit three on dual desks meant for two, while others use broken desks supported by cement blocks. The situation has forced students to study in discomfort, making concentration and classroom management a major challenge.
School authorities and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) have described the furniture deficit as an emergency, calling for urgent support to provide adequate desks for the pupils. They have also appealed for the construction of an additional three-unit classroom block to decongest the existing classes and make classroom management more effective.
“Aside from the numbers, there is an issue with the furniture. The furniture issue is serious,” a teacher said. “For now, the urgent need is furniture. If anyone is willing and ready to help us, we need desks immediately. Later on, if someone can also support with a classroom block, we’ll appreciate it. At least if we divide the classes into A and B, teachers will be able to manage better. With the current numbers, class control is always difficult. When the teacher turns to write on the board, the class becomes a market ground unless the teacher faces them. A three-unit classroom block will really help us manage the school better.”
Beyond overcrowding and furniture shortages, sanitation remains another pressing issue. The school has separate toilet facilities for boys and girls, as well as a urinal for boys. However, the girls’ section lacks a urinal, and most of the toilet doors are broken. The poor condition of the facility has discouraged many female students from using it, forcing them to seek privacy in nearby bushes instead.
“When the girls go in there, the doors are ajar. Because of that, many prefer to go to the bush. They don’t want to enter the toilet because it offers no privacy,” a member of the school management team said, adding that management has made several attempts to repair the damaged doors, but the problem persists.
The school is therefore appealing to government agencies, benevolent organizations, and individuals to come to their aid with improved toilet facilities and furniture to create a safer and more conducive learning environment for the pupils.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
