Students sit on plastic chairs to write exams on their laps

Lack of desks is forcing some students of Enyan Abaasa Technical Institute in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District of the Central Region to write their end of term examination on their laps in plastic chairs.

At least 20 first year students on Monday had no option than to sit on plastic chairs they claim to have brought from their homes, to answer examination questions on a T-Square drawing board placed on their laps.

Our local correspondent who visited the school Monday during exams hours reported the students have been complaining about the situation as well as over population in their dormitories.

When contacted, the school authorities refused to comment on the issue.

The District Director of Education, Madam Sabina Otoo, however, admitted Tuesday on Onua FM Yen Sempa morning show that there is shortage of desks in the school, but explained that is due to the ongoing examination.

She claimed her checks revealed only three students wrote their examination sitting on a plastic chair without a table, contrary to the evidence gathered by Onua FM.

“I went there [to the school] and they were writing exams. It is true they have shortage of desks but because they are writing exams, they can’t share desks” she explained, adding “I saw only three students sitting on the plastic chairs so I ordered them to go for the desks. The assembly has even presented the school with some of the desks”.

Congested dormitories

Meanwhile, the students have also complained about congestion in their dormitories, claiming there are more than 50 students one room. The situation, they said, makes the place unbearable due to heat.

“We sometimes step on our juniors to go to bed,” one student who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

According to the students, bed bugs have invaded the dormitories, something that is giving them hem sleepless night.

Several pleas to the school authorities, they claim, have been futile.

Alleged theft by teachers

Our correspondent reported that the students are also alleging some teachers steal foodstuff to be cooked for the students.

One of the teachers was allegedly caught taking away some rice in a car boot but could not dare to report to authorities.

Responding, Madam Otoo admitted there is congestion at the various dormitories, but said the District Assembly and the school authorities are putting up a new one for the school.

“It’s true there are more in the dormitories but the assembly has started construction of the dormitories. It’s because everyone wants to go to school but you cannot prevent them from going to school”.