Kong JHS Pupils Drop Out as Damaged Roof, Teacher Shortage Threaten Education

 

Authorities at Kong Junior High School in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District are appealing for urgent intervention from government and education stakeholders following a windstorm that ripped off parts of the school’s roof, worsening an already dire educational situation and contributing to rising student dropout rates.

 

The storm, which struck about a month ago, severely damaged the roof of the school’s only classroom block. Since then, teachers and pupils have been forced to conduct lessons under an exposed structure, with academic activities often disrupted whenever rain clouds gather.

 

Education is a fundamental right guaranteed to every Ghanaian child. However, for many pupils at Kong JHS, that right is increasingly under threat. The deteriorating learning environment, coupled with a severe shortage of teachers, has compelled several students to abandon school and join their parents on farms.

The Headteacher of Kong R/C JHS, Mr. Dogoor Mark, confirmed that the damaged roof is directly affecting school enrollment and attendance.

During a visit to the community, a news team encountered a farmer and his son heading to their farm during school hours. The father explained that the poor state of the school had forced him to withdraw his child from classes.

Assembly Member for the Kong Electoral Area, Hon. Kaayirinaa Issah Clement, disclosed in an interview that the challenges facing the school extend beyond the damaged roof. According to him, the community also lacks basic amenities, including telecommunications network coverage, potable water, and accommodation for teachers.

A local farmer, Nurudeen Mumuni, said community members have begun mobilizing resources to support the school.

“We have started raising funds to provide metal school desks. God willing, we will also begin renovation works on the school blocks. However, our community resources are limited, and we need external support,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Abubakari Yussif, Organizer of the Kong Youth Alliance, lamented what he described as years of neglect of the community’s educational infrastructure.

“Our education system is collapsing. The JHS block has no roof, doors, or windows, and deep cracks have developed in the walls. Students are exposed to both rain and scorching sunshine every day. Combined with inadequate desks and a severe shortage of teachers, our children are learning under conditions that violate their basic right to education,” he said.

Mr. Yussif further revealed that Kong D/A Primary School faces similar challenges, with only three classrooms serving six classes. As a result, Basic One and Two share a classroom, Basic Three and Four share another, while Basic Five and Six are also combined in one room.

He therefore appealed to the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Assembly, the District Chief Executive Hon. Saaka Sinkina, the Member of Parliament for Sawla Constituency Hon. Dari Chiewtey, as well as NGOs, philanthropists, and development partners to support the rehabilitation of the Kong D/A Primary and JHS school blocks.

“Every day of delay puts the future of our children at greater risk,” he stressed.

For many children in Kong, community leaders say school is increasingly being replaced by farm work. Instead of holding textbooks and writing on chalkboards, some pupils now carry hoes and cutlasses to the fields.

With the rainy season already underway, stakeholders warn that unless immediate repairs are undertaken and additional teachers posted to the community, more pupils could abandon school, further jeopardizing the future of education in Kong.

 

Source: ghanawatchonline.com /Salifu Adam Jabu