The Old Vandals Association (OVA), the alumni body of the University of Ghana’s Commonwealth Hall, has appealed for urgent support to replace dilapidated classroom structures at Kongo Senior High School in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region.
During a visit to the school, members of the association found students being taught in deteriorating wooden classroom blocks with partially open walls, exposing learners and teachers to intense heat, strong winds and rain that frequently disrupt lessons.
Upper East Chapter President of the Old Vandals Association, Raymond Akolbire Ayinne, appealed to President John Dramani Mahama, Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu, Deputy Minister for Education Dr. Clement Apaak, and other Old Vandals to support the construction of permanent classroom blocks for the school.
“We want to send an appeal to President John Mahama. We have seen the classrooms the students are using. We believe this message should reach the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Apaak, who are both Vandals. We also appeal to our association’s Life Patron, CoP (Rtd.) Patrick Akolgo, Old Vandals across the globe and every well-meaning Ghanaian who can support the construction of decent classrooms for these children,” he said.
Mr. Ayinne said the visit highlighted the urgent need to improve the school’s learning environment alongside other support initiatives.
“We have started by supporting the school through tree planting, but there is a greater need. These students deserve classrooms where learning does not come to a halt because of the weather,” he said.
The classroom structures, commonly referred to by the school community as “chalk boxes,” have open spaces beneath their roofs, making teaching impossible whenever it rains and exposing students to harsh weather conditions throughout the academic year.
Mr. Ayinne said no child should have to sacrifice learning because of inadequate infrastructure and expressed hope that the appeal would inspire swift action to provide the school with safe and conducive classrooms.
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