Lack of educational facilities undermines quality education in Wa

Funsi (U/W), Dec. 3, GNA - Inadequate educational facilities at Funsi, capital of the Wa East District, has become a source of worry to many parents in the area. Classroom blocks, furniture and text books are inadequate and pupils have to scramble on the few that are available and this is impacting negatively on quality education.

Mrs. Janet Togdia Adams, a spokesperson for the St. John's Cluster of Schools, said this when some members of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) visited the school to find out its challenges. She said the introduction of the Capitation Grant as well as the emphasis placed on the girl-child education, basic school intake had increased tremendously, giving rise to overcrowding and its related health problems.

Mrs. Adams said the Kindergarten has more than 200 children with only one trained teacher and two volunteers while that of the primary school stood at 713 pupils with five trained teachers and six National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) teachers.

At the Junior High School, enrolment stands at 174 students with five trained subject teachers and one NYEP teacher. "The inadequate classrooms, furniture and textbooks are sources of worry to parents. Pupils have to pair in fours on a desk and share one textbook during lessons, creating a lot of difficulties in the teaching and learning process", Mrs Adams said.

Mr. Marifa Dumah, PTA chairman for the school, said the provision of additional classroom blocks was necessary to help address the situation. He appealed to government, the Local Authority and NGOs to help provide classroom blocks, furniture and teaching and learning materials to the school. Mr. Justine Hogi, the PTA secretary, said the influx of over grown children to register at the basic schools signified that some pupils who were engaged in the "Kayaye" business are now returning home to acquire basic school education. 03 Dec 09