Parents and guardians in Akyem Asunafo in the Atiwa West District of the Eastern Region are increasingly worried about the deteriorating condition of classroom blocks at the community’s basic school, forcing many to transfer their children to schools in neighboring communities or withdraw them from school altogether.
The growing safety concerns have led to a decline in enrollment and are negatively affecting teaching and learning at the school.
Established in 1881, the Akyem Asunafo D/A Basic School has a proud history spanning more than a century and has produced many distinguished individuals who have contributed significantly to national development.
Today, however, the institution faces serious infrastructural challenges. Several classroom blocks have developed deep cracks, leaking roofs, broken floors, and weakened walls, raising fears among parents, teachers, and community members that the structures could collapse and endanger lives.
The poor state of the school buildings has compelled many parents to seek safer alternatives for their children, while others have chosen to keep their wards at home until conditions improve.
Residents say the continuous decline in enrollment is affecting academic activities and threatening the future of the school. They fear that without urgent intervention, the quality of education in the community could suffer significantly.
Parents and opinion leaders are therefore appealing to the government, the Ghana Education Service, philanthropists, and other stakeholders to support the rehabilitation of the existing structures and provide additional classroom facilities.
According to them, every child deserves a safe and conducive learning environment, and immediate action is required to prevent a potential tragedy.
Teachers at the school have also expressed concern about the challenges they face in delivering lessons under such conditions. They noted that the constant fear of a possible structural collapse during school hours continues to affect both teaching and learning.
Community leaders believe the school can regain its former glory if the necessary interventions are made promptly. Speaking on the issue, Nana Yaw, Sanaahene of Akyem Asunafo, accused politicians of playing politics with the school’s deteriorating condition. He alleged that an individual who had expressed interest in rehabilitating the facility was prevented from doing so by the area’s Member of Parliament, resulting in the worsening state of the school.
Residents are hopeful that the concerns raised will attract the attention of the relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for the children of Akyem Asunafo.
Parents Abandon Akyem Asunafo Basic School Over Fears of Collapsing Classroom Blocks.
