Akwamuman SHS Girls defecate in bushes

Female students of Akwamuman Senior High School (SHS) in the Asuogyaman District have reduced any available bush in the school compound into places of convenience, following the collapse of their Kumasi Ventilated Improved Pit (KVIP).

The situation does not only pose a danger to the lives of the students and their teachers, but creates a negative environment for effective academic work.

The school compound, which is not walled, coupled with the toilet situation, poses a serious security and health concern, since the young girls are exposed to dangerous animals in the bushes, as well as an outbreak of diseases if the situation continues.

Narrating to the paper what led to the collapse of the only KVIP toilet meant for the girls, the Headmaster of the school, Mr. Emmanuel Kwadjo Tawiah, lamented that the toilet collapsed because of where it was built. According to him, the toilet was built on low ground, and that running water from uphill eroded the foundation, leading to its eventual collapse.

He continued that the school was spared a probably disaster, because the incident occurred at a time the children were in class, and the fact that it was also a week day and not weekend.

He disclosed that even though the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) had suggested that the children are levied for the construction of a modern water closet (WC) toilet facility; this cannot be done without the approval of the Ghana Education Service (GES).

This reporter sighted some letters written by the school to the necessary stakeholders, including the GES, to approve of the PTA decision.

Mr. Tawiah indicated that the school had identified a suitable place for the construction of a new toilet facility, and would move into action immediately the GES approves of the levy.

He praised the management of the PTA for collaborating with the school authorities in ensuring a conducive environment for effective academic work.