Over 20 pupils escape death as school building collapses in the Central Region

The latest Ghana Education News indicates that over 20 pupils escape death as school building collapses in Assin Zamboree D/A Basic School in the Assin North District of the Central Region.
This scary event happened on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 9 a.m. while they were in class.
The chairman of the School Management Committee, Jacob Tetteh Agbeko, explained that the building was in very bad condition. When the teachers saw the danger, they quickly told the students to leave the classroom. Just after the students left, the building collapsed, trapping their books and bags inside.
Because of this incident, the teachers now have to combine the affected students with other classes, which makes it hard for everyone to learn properly. They urgently need help from the government, the District Assembly, and other organizations.
Some parents are asking the government to finish building a 6-classroom block that was started in 2013 but left unfinished. They’re worried because the current building, which has been abandoned and left to decay in the bush, is now home to reptiles and other dangerous animals, making it unsafe for the students.
Many parents have taken their children out of the school because they see it as a dangerous place. Instead of going to school, some children are now helping their families with farming because the school building is not safe.
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The local Assemblyman, Thomas Yogarim, has informed the Assin North NADMO (National Disaster Management Organization) about the situation and is waiting for them to come and help. He says they have written several letters to the District Assembly, but nothing has been done yet to fix the problem.
In Ghana, many children attending basic schools face daily hazards due to unsafe learning environments. These risks, ranging from encounters with venomous snakes to the threat of building collapse, significantly endanger the well-being of students and undermine their right to a safe education.
One of the most immediate dangers is the presence of snakes in and around school premises. Because of inadequate maintenance and poor infrastructure, many schools become breeding grounds for snakes. For children, the fear of encountering these reptiles is a constant worry, making it difficult for them to focus on their studies and hindering their overall learning experience.
Moreover, the issue of flooding exacerbates the precariousness of Ghana’s basic schools, particularly during the rainy season. Insufficient drainage systems and poorly constructed buildings leave schools vulnerable to flooding, disrupting classes and posing serious health risks to students and teachers alike. The threat of waterborne diseases further compounds the challenges faced by communities already struggling with inadequate access to healthcare.
Perhaps most alarming is the risk of building collapse, a consequence of years of neglect and lack of proper maintenance. Many school buildings in Ghana are old and structurally unsound, putting the lives of students and staff in jeopardy. The collapse of such buildings not only results in injuries and loss of life but also disrupts the continuity of education, depriving children of essential learning opportunities.
Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from both government authorities and local communities. Adequate funding must be allocated for the renovation and construction of safe school buildings, equipped with proper infrastructure to withstand environmental risks. Additionally, comprehensive measures should be implemented to mitigate the threat of snake encounters and flooding, including the establishment of effective drainage systems and the clearing of vegetation around school premises.
Community engagement is also crucial in advocating for safer learning environments. By raising awareness about the dangers posed by poor school infrastructure and mobilizing support for improvement initiatives, communities can play an active role in ensuring the safety and well-being of their children.
The perilous conditions of Ghana’s basic schools pose significant risks to the lives and education of countless children. Urgent action is needed to address these challenges, with a focus on investment in safe infrastructure, effective risk mitigation strategies, and community empowerment. Only through collective efforts can Ghana’s children be provided with the secure and conducive learning environments they deserve.