Asuotwene Presby Basic School, a death trap

The Presbyterian Primary School at Asuotwene in the West Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region, is in a deplorable state and needs immediate attention to avoid disaster.

Immediate attention would help promote teaching and learning as the school faces imminent closure, if steps are not taken to rehabilitate it as soon as possible.

A visit to the school by the Unit Committee Chairman, the Parent Teacher Association executives and the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Tuesday, revealed that efforts are needed from all stakeholders including the West Akim Municipal Assembly and the Ghana Education Service (GES), to help relocate the entire pupil population for rehabilitation work to take place.

Mr Edward Opare Offei, the headteacher of the school, told the visiting team that, the building which was constructed 1936 with mud had become so weak that it could collapse anytime.

He said what has worsened the situation is that on February 20, this year at about 13:30 hours the school experienced a strong cyclonic wind that ripped the roof of the entire school.

He said items destroyed in the rainstorm ranged from personal belongings and farm produce and are estimated at several thousands of Ghana Cedis.

Mr Opare Offei said the school, as a mud building structure, had already been invaded by termites which were destroying books and stationery in the cupboard and this had made teaching and learning impossible in the school.

The headteacher said anytime it was about to rain, the pupils were forced to go home, and this has constantly interrupted the smooth running of the school.

He said currently, the school which serves 12 communities is on the verge of collapse and poses danger to the lives of the teaching staff and the pupils.

Mr Opare Offei appealed to the government to come to their aid and help provide a decent and modern block for the school.

He said letters had been sent to the Municipal Director of Education, municipal assembly, NADMO and the Education sub-committee, all in West Akim but so far, nothing had been done about the situation.**