First basic school falling apart

Pupils and teachers are in danger as the first ever basic school is said to be collapsing through years of neglect.

The school, built in 1843 and established by the Presbyterian missionaries at Akropong–Akuapem, has developed cracks, posing a serious threat to more than 650 pupils and staff.

It has not seen any major renovations, and GNA noticed huge potholes in the classrooms in addition to the cracks.

Due to the life-threatening nature of the building, the Parent/Teacher Association (PTA) has blocked access to the backyard of the school block to avert any disaster as the staircase has also developed cracks.

The Headmistress, Ms Comfort Boafo, told GNA that the situation was worrying as both pupils and staff fear the building could collapse if nothing is done immediately.

She said the school had other challenges such as lack of toilet facilities and the space behind the school being used as a landfill site by the Akuapem North District Assembly.

Ms Boafo said the school was always engulfed in smoke from the site which affected teaching and learning and created health challenges for pupils and teachers.

She said the junior high school was accommodated in an uncompleted facility of the Peace Congregation, which was initially earmarked as a church and appealed to the many people who had passed through the school and are now occupying high positions to assist.

Reverend Kingsley Kumi Yeboah, the Local Manager of the school, said letters had been written to the assembly to cease using the land behind the school as a landfill site as it belonged to the church for further expansion of the school.

Many fear the same fate as the collapse of Odumase Presbyterian Primary School, after many years without renovation, killing one pupil and injuring several others.