Pupils at the Berekum Methodist Basic School ‘C’ have to contend with overcrowded classrooms and inadequate furniture as they struggle to learn in an environment where finding enough space to write comfortably can be a challenge.
In the classrooms, pupils sit close together on desks, with some sharing limited writing space as they try to follow lessons and complete exercises.
The crowded arrangement leaves little room for effective learning, while the shortage of furniture adds to the difficulties confronting teachers.
For a school with 511 pupils from kindergarten to Junior High School (JHS) three, the situation presents a serious challenge to effective teaching and learning.
It is against this background that ASA Savings and Loans Ltd donated 20 dual desks, five teachers’ tables and chairs, five white marker boards and 250 customised exercise books to the school to help ease the pressure on its limited resources.
Although the donation offered some relief, school authorities said much more needed to be done to provide pupils with a conducive environment for learning.
The Head teacher, Isaac Amenu, said the furniture situation was so difficult that, by his estimation, there were three pupils for every desk.
He said the school had been relying partly on parents to bridge the gap, with the parents donating about 25 dual desks last year and preparing to contribute more this year, adding that the latest donation would help reduce the shortage.
Mr Amenu said the school management and parents initiated a three-classroom block, which is ongoing, while a separate Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) project was about 70 per cent complete and needs support to finish.
Furniture shortage
The Deputy Director of the Berekum Municipal Education Directorate, Wilson Baba Amisina, said the furniture shortage affected several schools across the municipality.
He said some classrooms accommodated between 60 and 70 pupils, with three or four children sometimes sharing a desk.
He said, such conditions could undermine effective teaching and learning, as pupils struggle to concentrate, write comfortably and work independently.
Mr Amisina said the municipality also faced challenges with overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated school buildings and communities where children had to walk long distances to access education.
He cited Berekum Magazine and Sofosere as examples of communities where the absence of nearby schools posed difficulties for pupils.
He commended ASA Savings and Loans for the donation and urged teachers and school authorities to ensure that the items were properly maintained.
Assistance
The Bono and Ahafo Divisional Manager of ASA Savings and Loans Limited, Alexander Obeng, said the company decided to assist after identifying the school’s need for basic educational materials.
Mr Obeng said the donation was intended to improve pupils’ comfort and provide teachers with materials to facilitate effective teaching.
