New Papase Apostolic Basic School in the Bia West District of the Western North Region is grappling with severe infrastructure challenges that are endangering pupils and undermining academic work.
The school’s deteriorating classrooms are dusty, poorly furnished, and structurally unstable, creating an unsafe and unconducive learning environment. Broken floors, weak wooden structures, and inadequate desks force many pupils to sit uncomfortably during lessons, affecting concentration and participation. Teachers also struggle to deliver effective instruction under such harsh conditions.
Headmaster Mr. Damoah Nicholas revealed that leaking roofs and fragile classroom blocks make the situation worse during rainfall or strong winds. In some instances, lessons are abruptly suspended to protect pupils from potential harm, leading to frequent disruptions in the academic calendar. “When it rains, we have no option but to close some classrooms for safety reasons,” he lamented.
Although members of the local community have undertaken minor repairs to keep the school functioning, the interventions have not addressed the root of the problem. The structures remain weak and vulnerable, raising fears about the long-term safety of both pupils and staff.
The poor state of the facilities has also taken a toll on teacher morale. Several educators have reportedly requested transfers, citing the unsafe and uncomfortable working environment. This has placed additional pressure on the few remaining teachers, who continue to serve out of commitment and dedication to the children’s education.
Parents, worried about their children’s safety, have begun withdrawing them from the school, resulting in declining enrolment. Education stakeholders warn that if urgent steps are not taken, the situation could further compromise learning outcomes in the community.
School authorities are therefore appealing to the government, corporate bodies, and non-governmental organizations to intervene swiftly. They are calling for comprehensive renovation of the classroom blocks, provision of adequate furniture, and construction of safer, modern facilities to restore confidence and ensure that pupils can learn in dignity and safety.
