Management of Atobiase D/A Basic School in the Wassa East District has appealed to the government to urgently reconstruct its ageing classroom block, warning that the over 50-year-old structure poses a potential danger to pupils and teachers.
The headmaster, Stephen Appiah, called on the District Chief Executive, Ibrahim Alhassan, and the area’s Member of Parliament, Isaac Adjei Mensah, to intervene before the building deteriorates further and causes a disaster.
He cited the collapse of two school buildings at Dormama and Benuyia in the district as a reason for urgent action, stressing that the school needed more than routine maintenance to ensure the safety of its occupants.
According to him, although management has made efforts to maintain the building, including repainting it, its attractive exterior does not reflect the need for a complete reconstruction.
Mr Appiah made the appeal during the school’s fifth-anniversary celebration, held under the theme, “Celebrating 50 Years of Quality Education and Shaping Young Children for Future Responsibilities.”
The event also recognised students, teachers and community opinion leaders for their contributions to the development of the school.
He also appealed to parents to provide their children with pocket money for school, explaining that many pupils arrived without money because they relied on the School Feeding Programme for their daily meals. However, he said the programme’s provision was insufficient to meet all their needs.
He said the first batch of 11 students recorded two distinctions despite studying under difficult conditions, including using bamboo to make classroom tables and chairs.
Mr Tamakloe acknowledged the determination of the early students and urged current pupils to take their studies seriously, while encouraging them to make good use of the educational support provided by their parents and the government.
The appeal for reconstruction comes as the school marks five decades of educational service to the community, with management urging authorities to address the building’s condition to protect the lives of pupils and staff.
