Teachers at Jantong Dashie Junior High School in the North East Gonja District of the Savannah Region are raising alarm over the dilapidated condition of the school building, which they say is disrupting teaching and learning for more than 68 pupils.
Established in 2007, the school is the only junior high facility serving several communities in the Jantong enclave. Despite its importance, the four-unit classroom block has seen no major renovation since its construction and has now deteriorated badly.
The building’s roof is almost completely damaged, with several sections leaking heavily when it rains. Teachers say the intense heat from the sun also forces them to close classes on some days, frustrating both staff and students.
The poor state of the structure has affected not only teaching and learning but also enrollment. Many parents have withdrawn their children from the school due to the unsafe and uncomfortable conditions, which have caused a decline in the student population.
Iddrisu Musah, a teacher at the school, said the conditions are making it difficult for pupils to concentrate on their studies.
“We sometimes have to stop lessons whenever the rain starts or the sun becomes unbearable,” he lamented.
The chief of the area, Mahama Abdullah, also expressed his frustration over the state of the school. He disclosed that the Ghana Education Service (GES) had assessed the building and declared it too weak for renovation, recommending the construction of a new structure instead.
In an effort to support the project, the chief provided over 50 bags of cement for molding blocks. However, the project has since been abandoned.
The Assemblyman for the area, Abdulia Hussein, reiterated the chief’s concerns. He noted that engineers from the District Assembly had declared the building unsafe, recommending a complete reconstruction rather than repairs. Despite repeated complaints and follow-ups, no progress has been made on the project.
He is therefore calling on government and stakeholders to urgently build a new school block to safeguard access to junior high education in the community.
For now, the future of Jantong Dashie Junior High School remains uncertain as both the students and staff continue to bear the brunt of the deteriorating conditions.
