By Gilbert Azeem Tiroog
Navrongo (U/E), Nov. 2, GNA – Students and management of the Navrongo Senior High School (NAVASCO), have expressed grave concern over the school’s deteriorating infrastructure, describing the situation as “bat-infested dormitories, dilapidated staff bungalows, and inadequate science laboratory equipment,” which adversely affect academic work.
At the school’s 8th NABIA Co-sponsored Speech and Prize-Giving Day celebration, the Senior Prefect and the Headmistress of the school, painted a worrying picture of the conditions under which students lived and learned, which they said was hampering effective teaching and learning.
Master Atambeogo Abraham Awinyangit, the Senior Prefect of the school, said the ceilings of the boys’ dormitories had become so weak and dilapidated that “vampires are able to manoeuvre their way into the dormitories,” adding that “it is a fact to say that all the boys’ dormitories are bat-infested.”
Master Awinyangit further indicated that the shortage of furniture was also affecting students’ comfort and concentration.
“We learn in settings where chairs creak, tables wobble, and some students are forced to stand or sit uncomfortably. This isn’t just about comfort, it is about creating an environment that supports our academic success,” he stated.
The Senior Prefect also lamented the lack of adequate science equipment, describing it as a major setback to academic excellence.
“Science and practical learning require hands-on experience, but outdated and inadequate equipment limit our ability to explore, experiment, and innovate,” he added.
Madam Mercy Babachuweh, the Headmistress, reaffirmed the Senior Prefect’s concerns, adding that many of the school’s staff bungalows were in deplorable condition, with broken asbestos roofs posing health hazards.
She said the school was also faced with shortage of accommodation for staff, making it difficult to maintain discipline and effective supervision.
Madam Babachuweh also revealed that fumigation and other measures had failed to eliminate the bats from the dormitories.
“The solution lies in re-roofing to prevent their entry, and we are appealing to all stakeholders and old students, particularly those of the affected houses, Livingston/Ferguson and Nkrumah/Guggisberg, to support rehabilitation efforts,” she said.
She further lamented the destruction of the school dam by heavy rains, noting that it had become silted with a broken spillway.
“Officials from the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority have estimated GH¢12,052.20 for repair works, including mapping, design, and costing,” she disclosed, and appealed to the NABIA and the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly for assistance.
Responding to the concerns, Dr Clement Apaak, Deputy Minister of Education, assured the school community that their pleas had reached the Ministry and interventions were underway.
He said the Minister of Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, a proud NABIA (old student of NAVASCO), remained committed to addressing the school’s infrastructure, academic, and residential challenges.
“Be rest assured that I am here because the Minister cares very deeply about this school and how it shaped him. All your concerns have been taken into consideration and will be acted upon,” Dr Apaak said.
He also pledged to facilitate the school’s connection to the national fibre optic network, located in front of the campus, to enhance digital learning and research.
Dr Apaak presented an amount of GH¢50,000 as seed money to establish a NAVASCO Speech and Prize-Giving Foundation, GH¢40,000 of which was donated by Mr Haruna Iddrisu, and an additional GH¢10,000 as his personal contribution to the fund.
He also presented another GH¢10,000 cash, GH¢5,000 each for the best Science and Business students, as a token from the Minister of Education.
This year’s event was held on the theme, “Countering Drug Abuse: Measures and Strategies Towards Effective Teaching and Learning for Building Ghana’s Human Capital.”
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Lydia Kukua Asamoah