Education on hold: Future of Balana children in limbo as teachers boycott classroom over lack of potable water

Schooling on maintain: Way forward for Balana youngsters in limbo as academics boycott classroom over lack of potable water

For months, school-going youngsters within the rural farming group of Balana within the Sekyere Central District of Ashanti Area have been disadvantaged of schooling as academics proceed to boycott lessons, citing the shortage of entry to scrub consuming water as their major grievance.

With no clear water sources, residents depend on unsafe alternate options, rising the danger of waterborne ailments. They both supply water – yellow in color – from dried up dam or entry it from deep gullies created in the midst of a street.

“That is the water we depend on for each consuming functions and home use. But, this even dries up within the dry season forcing us to trek 4 miles to get water”, a pregnant lady laments.

*No Water, No College*

Entry to high quality schooling is a proper for each Ghanaian baby as enshrined within the 1992 Structure of the nation, however the youngsters in Balana are being denied this proper.

As evident on the board at school 4 of the Balana D/A major, the final time a instructor set foot within the class to instructor was on the twentieth of January, 2024. The varsity has been left with out academics for greater than a 12 months.

The scenario has left a whole bunch of scholars in limbo, with many making the each day trek to high school solely to return house upset after discovering no instructor current.

“We present up in class each morning with the hope of assembly our academics, however they don’t come”, 10-year-old Isaac Danaa, a visibly fearful class 4 pupil mentioned.

The absence of academics has compelled among the youngsters to affix their mother and father to farm while anxiously ready for the return of the educators. Bridget Majembik, a category 5 pupil who needs to realize greater schooling and develop into a healthcare skilled indicated that “with no academics, a few of us haven’t any possibility than to be on the farm every single day.

Head instructor of the varsity, Saalu’u Abdulai, was posted within the faculty in September 2024 however mentioned “faculty was not in session” when he reported.

He admits that “it’s troublesome to persuade academics to remain on this group as a result of entry to scrub water is a large drawback right here. Academics are prepared to point out up if they’re assured of potable water.”

This has paralyzed studying in the neighborhood, leaving mother and father annoyed and youngsters with out entry to formal schooling.

Consolation Yeboah, a mum or dad, acknowledged that “it’s fairly worrying that to us that the youngsters are been denied schooling”.

The group is worried that, the extended schooling shutdown threatens the way forward for their youngsters as their hope retains dashing each second.

“For now, what we want is the return of academics on this group and after they come, we as group members will even attempt to provide them the assist we are able to, else our children can be left behind,” Isaac Beyame, a troubled mum or dad uttered.

Regardless of repeated appeals from group leaders, native schooling officers haven’t supplied a long-lasting answer. Meeting member of the realm accused duty-bearers of neglecting the group.

“Many of the district’s meals stuff is from Balana and its adjoining communities but the city has been sidelined by successive governments. No water, no street, no well being facility, and now no faculty. Are residents right here not a part of Ghana?, Seth Dapaah, Meeting member for Birem electoral space, queried.

Native schooling official’s response

When contacted, the Sekyere Central District Schooling Directorate acknowledged the disaster however mentioned discussions had been ongoing to resolve the difficulty. Nevertheless, no timeline has been given for academics’ return.

“We’re conscious of the disturbing scenario, and we’ve got despatched letters to the District Meeting to make sure no less than a borehole facility is supplied in the neighborhood. If we’re ready clear up the water drawback, it should carry again to life the operation of the varsity. We’re additionally attempting to have interaction some youth in the neighborhood who’ve proven their willingness to volunteer and assist with the educating. It’s not greatest to permit educating and studying to come back to a halt for such a very long time”, Ibrahim Yaw Adams, Public Relations Officer of Sekyere Central Schooling Directorate bemoaned.

The Sustainable Growth Objective 4 additionally targets entry to high quality schooling for all by 2030. However will Ghana be capable of obtain this goal when school-going youngsters in communities like Balana are struggling to even get a instructor?

Denying these youngsters schooling violates their basic rights. For now, the youngsters of Balana stay in limbo—their futures unsure as they watch for an answer.

The publish Education on hold: Future of Balana children in limbo as teachers boycott classroom over lack of potable water first appeared on 3News.

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