The Upper East Region is facing significant challenges in early childhood education due to poor infrastructure and insufficient teaching materials in basic schools. Many nursery and kindergarten pupils are learning in dilapidated structures, often described as “death traps.” In some cases, children are forced to study under trees, which poses health risks and other dangers.
During the third quarter meeting in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Early Childhood Development Committee highlighted these issues. Committee members reported visiting several schools that exhibited deep cracks in their walls and floors. They noted that these conditions negatively impact both teaching and learning, contributing to a decline in student enrollment.
Some schools have leaking roofs, broken doors, and windows, leaving pupils to lie on their stomachs while learning due to a lack of furniture. This situation exposes children to pneumonia and other cold-related illnesses. Furthermore, many schools lack proper Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, forcing students to defecate and urinate in the open.
The meeting was organized by the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council with financial support from the NGO Children Believe, which focuses on child welfare. The committee includes stakeholders from various organizations, such as the Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Service, and civil society groups.
Mrs. Georgina Aberese-Ako, a committee member and Acting Regional Director of the Department of Children, presented a report on a recent field visit. She emphasized that many schools are in poor condition, which hampers academic performance. For instance, at Pelungu Basic School in the Nabdam District, 40 pupils in kindergarten one and 46 in kindergarten two are studying in distressing conditions. The school’s infrastructure is severely damaged, with cracks in the walls and floors, broken doors, and windows. Pupils sit on plastic mats provided by their parents due to the absence of furniture.
Mrs. Aberese-Ako expressed concern over the lack of adequate teaching materials and inappropriate toilet facilities for young children. She stated, “This is very worrying, and we must work together to address these challenges to promote childhood development.”
The report also mentioned Yakote Primary School, also in the Nabdam District, which suffers from similar issues. Although the pupils have furniture, the school’s classrooms and toilet facilities are inadequate.
Mr. John Nyaaba, the Upper East Regional Early Childhood Development Coordinator with the Ghana Education Service, acknowledged the challenges posed by poor infrastructure and a lack of human resources at the basic school level, especially for kindergartens. He pointed out that many schools do not have dedicated early childhood centers.
Nyaaba also noted that the poor condition of school buildings is prevalent across all 15 districts in the region. He reported that some head teachers are using kindergarten classrooms for upper primary students, leaving younger children without proper learning environments. “Some school head teachers use the KG classrooms for upper primary and send the KG children to study under trees, believing they are just there to play,” he explained. He also mentioned that early childhood education teachers are often posted from the head office, but some refuse to accept postings to schools that urgently need staff.
Mrs. Yvonne Wonchua, Assistant Director of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, reiterated that the region is already disadvantaged and stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to address educational challenges and promote early childhood development in the area.
Related Topics: