Ahafo region: Bechem Technical Institute appeals for modern sanitation and learning facilities

Teachers and students of Bechem Technical Institute in the Tano South Municipality of the Ahafo Region have appealed for the immediate provision of ultra-modern toilet and bathroom facilities for both boys and girls in the school.

They warn that the current situation poses serious health and hygiene risks and falls far below acceptable standards for a technical educational institution.

According to the school community, the existing toilet and bathroom facilities are temporary structures made of wood and fenced with straw, without proper covering.

This, they say, exposes users’ nudity and compromises privacy and dignity.

“It is very uncomfortable and unsafe to use these facilities, especially for the girls,” a teacher said.

“This is not the standard environment students should be learning in.”

The teachers and students further complained that the structures are easily destroyed by strong winds, while access becomes dangerous during rainfall.

In an interview with the media on Monday, January 26, 2026, they explained that during heavy rains, students avoid the toilets for fear of injuries caused by collapsing materials.

“Any serious wind can pull the whole place down, and when it rains, nobody wants to risk going there,” a student explained.

Beyond sanitation concerns, the institute is grappling with a serious shortage of classroom blocks, leading to overcrowded learning environments.

In some instances, students are forced to study under uncomfortable conditions, which teachers say is negatively affecting academic performance and discipline.

“When classrooms are congested, effective teaching becomes difficult,” a teacher noted.

The appeal also draws attention to the lack of adequate classroom furniture, particularly desks and chairs for both male and female students.

Teachers describe the situation as distressing, noting that the absence of basic furniture compromises student comfort, concentration, and overall learning outcomes.

“Some students struggle to focus because they do not even have proper desks to sit on,” one teacher said.

In addition to classroom challenges, the school faces a critical shortage of staff accommodation, with no decent bungalows for teachers.

This has affected staff morale and retention, as some teachers commute long distances daily.

Students in the boarding house have also added their voices, calling for the construction of modern dormitory facilities to cater for the growing student population, while management appeals to authorities to intervene urgently to improve conditions at the school.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah