Children and teachers of Agogo Nhyiaeso Basic School in the Ashanti Region who study in a dilapidated structure will soon see an end to their plight.
MTN Ghana Foundation is funding the construction of a 6-unit classroom block which is at the roofing stage, less than three months after work commenced.
The project consists of a library, staff common room and store.
It follows a Joy News Agenda story by Ohemeng Tawiah highlighting the state of the old building and how occupants were exposed to danger.
Flashback: A teacher teaching pupils in one of the dilapidated structures at Nhyiaeso
The poor infrastructure continues to put the lives of pupils and teachers of Nhyiaeso District Assembly Basic School in danger. Cracked walls, loose door flames, falling ceiling and foul-smelling animal droppings remain their lot.
Female pupils who trek to school in a nearby community are reportedly subjected to sexual abuse by nomadic herdsmen.
"Children walking distances to Ananekrom every day...they are exposed to harsh weather conditions, attacks of miscreants, cases of rape were so rampant; and then drop-out rate high because these children could not afford to walk about 6 miles in and 6 miles out," says Ernest Kwadwo Afari, District Director of Education.
The new structure contains 6-classrooms, library, staff common room and store
The situation has been impacting negatively on the quality of teaching and learning with its attendant drop-out incidents.
"If you have 15 of them beginning JHS 1 [and] by the time they get to JHS 3, we have the number less than 5 left, [then] we have huge drop-out rate," says Mr. Afari.
MTN Ghana Foundation did not only approve funding for the project but also awarded the contract to contractors to bring relief to pupils and their teachers.
Workers are busily laying concrete blocks to prepare, for roofing
District Director of Education, Ernest Kwadwo Afari, who was incidentally at the site at the time of our visit, is overwhelmed by quality work done so far.
“We never imagined that such a big thing could be done within a space of less than 3-months. We are very much excited. It's unbelievable that such a big thing could be achieved within a short space of time."
"We strongly believe that in about 4-months, 5-months time, this project would be completed and handed over to the Ghana Education Service," he added.
For Peter Abaji, the Assemblyman for Ananekrom Electoral area, what began as a tale has become a reality for him and the people.
Mr Afar(n suit) on a visit to the project site which will be furnished by MTN Ghana Foundation
Mr. Afari is hopeful enrolment and retention of pupils will improve upon completion of the project.
"With this opportunity here, children will no longer walk long distances and so we believe that retention rate is going to be very high and completion rate will also be very high."
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