Kodie JHS classroom block nears collapse

Kodie (Ash), Jan 31, GNA - More than 150 pupils of Kodie Junior High School (JHS) in the Kwabre District face possible disaster, if urgent alternate arrangements are not made to relocate them out of the current school block.

The entire roof of the classroom block and the supporting pillars are on the verge of collapse, Mr Thomas Appiah-Kwarteng, Headteacher of the school, told Mrs Belinda Serwaa Addo, the Ashanti Regional Director of Education when she paid a working visit to the area on Wednesday. Mrs Addo was in the area to acquaint herself with the community's preparedness towards the provision of infrastructure and other facilities for the smooth take-off of the newly-created District of Afigya-Kwabre with headquarters at Kodie.

Mr Appiah-Kwarteng described the state of the classroom block as serious and that the teachers and pupils were exposed to insecurity and fear.

He contended that in the event of any strong wind, the building could collapse, adding that it could lead to a tragedy, especially when classes are in session.

Mr Stephen Opoku, assembly member for the area, said the community had plans to relocate the pupils in order to rehabilitate the building. Mrs Addo expressed serious concern about the state of the school building and charged the school authorities to liaise with the appropriate stakeholders to avert any possible disaster. Earlier, Mrs Addo held discussions with Alhaji Kwasi Yeboah, the Kwabre District Chief Executive on the smooth take-off of the new District.

She appealed to the District Assembly to provide residential accommodation for the District Director of Education who would be posted to the area.