Tinkong: Residents Appeal for Basic School Classroom Block To Be Renovated

• Residents of Akuapem North Municipality are appealing for a better learning environment citing the deplorable condition of the Tinkong SDA Basic School Kindergarten classroom block
• Teaching and learning are disrupted whenever it rains due to severe leaks in the classroom roof
• The UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 requires that the relevant parties ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Residents of Akuapem North Municipality in the Eastern Region have highlighted the deplorable condition of the Tinkong SDA Basic School Kindergarten classroom block, which they say hampers effective teaching and learning, putting pupils at a significant disadvantage.

Their main concern is that the school, established in 1997, has since operated in an abandoned apartment belonging to COCOBOD, resulting in poor facilities that are unfit for learning.

The apartment's living room serves as the Basic One classroom, while two other rooms accommodate Kindergarten One and Two.

One major concern for parents and other community members is that the over forty-year-old structure was never renovated before being designated as a school.

The rusted roof leaks, and nearly all the windows have been torn off. The fascia boards are rotten, with some already detached.

Inside the classrooms, rainwater seeps down the walls from the ceiling, pooling on the floor until it resembles a pond whenever it rains. The water leaves behind unsightly, dark green stains on the walls.

This is particularly significant as it compromises the learning environment, with classroom chairs and tables getting soaked, some beyond repair.

Books are often destroyed, while posters on the classroom walls are torn down, forcing teachers to remake them repeatedly.

A teacher, who spoke to YEN.com.gh on the condition of anonymity, noted that after every rainfall, especially during the rainy season, the classrooms become very humid, creating conditions that are unfavourable to the children’s health.

As this is a recurring issue, whenever it begins to rain during school hours, pupils are moved to a safer corner of the structure until the rain stops.

The classrooms must then be prepared—rainwater drained, floors mopped, and space allowed to dry—before pupils can return and resume lessons.

“It wastes a lot of our time to get the class ready for lessons after the rain falls. Most of the time, we do not come back due to the humidity of the room,” she said.

“We came back one morning just to see all our books soaked and destroyed. We had to contribute out of our pockets to get the books back for the children,” one teacher said.

The headteacher, Hannah Boateng, who assumed office two years ago, expressed concern over the situation, citing the children's health and teachers’ comfort as major issues under the current conditions.

She noted that the Parent Association has tried to address the problem, but the extent of work needed is beyond their capacity.

She added that several efforts by the authorities to improve the situation have so far proven futile.

Calls to the Municipal Assembly for assistance to fix the challenge have not received a positive response.

"The Municipal Chief Executive came here and witnessed the situation himself. He promised a swift response, but he never came back."

"We need not keep these young ones in this horrible condition, but we do not have an alternative,” the principal stated.

The assemblyman for the area, Samuel Kwadwo Abokyi, confirms his awareness of the challenge but, like the headteacher, says his efforts to secure support from the assembly have not yielded any positive results.

The concerns raised by the teachers and parents hold a lot of weight, especially since the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 requires that the relevant parties ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Until help comes, the learners who find themselves in a vulnerable position will have to manage in the deplorable learning environment.

Tinkong residents demand completion of police station

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh previously reported that residents of Tinkong are appealing for the completion of their police station over rising levels of insecurity in the region.

Recently, the town has grappled with a wave of insecurity as criminals target businesses, churches and homes.

Local authorities in Tinkong have appealed for funds to aid with the completion of the police station to help deal with the situation.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh