The lack of boarding facilities at Enyan Maim community Senior High School in the Ajumako Enyan Esiam District of the Central Region is severely impacting student enrollment.
According to the school authorities, the student population has dwindled from over 1,100 to just 500, as parents continue to withdraw their children.
Enyan Maim, a farming community with over 6,000 residents, is home to Enyan Maim Community Senior High School. Commissioned in 2016 as part of then President John Dramani Mahama’s E-Blocks initiative, the school initially boasted over 1,100 students.
With support from the World Bank, the ministries of Education and Communication, the school has modern facilities, including a science and ICT laboratories. However, the absence of boarding facilities makes it unattractive, leading to a sharp decline in enrollment. Many parents are withdrawing their children, resulting in a significant drop to just 500 students.
“It’s not that they don’t bring students; they bring them because we lack boarding facilities. If we had accommodation, students could stay longer and learn more. Having a boarding facility would allow us to attract more students.” He said.
Headmaster of the school, Ebenezer Otoo, notes that the school has ample land to accommodate a boarding facility.
“We currently have four acres of land available for development, which could accommodate a boarding facility and staff bungalows. We appeal to philanthropists, donors, the World Bank, GETFUND, and other organizations to support Enyan Miam Senior High School.” He pleaded.
Leticia Amuzu, a student who stays in rented accommodation in the community and walks about 800 meters to campus, said “Sometimes I miss school when it rains because the road becomes muddy. Having a boarding facility would allow me to stay closer and walk a shorter distance to school, instead of trekking from my community, which is far.”
Isaac Ehun, a student, noted that many boys don’t attend school regularly because there’s no hostel or boarding facility, so they don’t see the need to come to school.
PTA Chairman, Mohammed Abdul Donkor, and Assembly Member for the area, Gabriel Amoanoo, reveal this challenge has led to an increase in teenage pregnancies, a significant challenge for the school.
Mohammed Abdul Donkor mentioned that “Due to the lack of boarding facilities here, many students from far-off places refuse to rent in the community when they realize it’s unavailable and instead opt to change schools”.
Gabriel Amoanoo the Assembly member, Enyan Miam Electoral Area stated that “Regarding teenage pregnancy, we recognize that our students are vulnerable.
Establishing a boarding facility would provide a safer environment. For example, a 13-year-old girl living alone in a community away from her parents is highly susceptible to risks. We’re appealing for a boarding facility to better protect our students.”
But there seems to be hope in sight as the District Chief Executive for Ajumako Enyan Esiam, Andrews Kojo Dodoo indicates that, “Together with our Member of Parliament and Finance Minister, Dr. Ato Forson, we’re working to secure boarding facilities for the school. This will enable students from far-off places to have a safe place to stay and focus on their studies. We’re also working to fence the school land to prevent encroachment.”
