Teachers at Jantong Dashie Junior High School (JHS) in the North East Gonja District are sounding an urgent call for intervention as the only junior high school in the area faces severe infrastructural decline, jeopardizing the education of over 68 students.
The school, constructed in 2007, comprises just four classrooms and has not received significant renovation since its inception. Today, the building is in a state of disrepair, with a severely damaged roof that leaks during rainfall and classrooms that become unbearably hot under the midday sun. These conditions force teachers to cancel lessons prematurely, disrupting the academic calendar and negatively impacting student morale.
The deteriorating facilities have also led to a decline in student enrollment, with many parents withdrawing their children due to safety concerns. For the remaining students, the difficult learning environment has made education increasingly challenging.
“We are often forced to halt lessons when the rain begins or when the heat becomes intolerable,” said Iddrisu Musah, a teacher at the school.
Local leaders echo the teachers' concerns. Chief Mahama Abdullah disclosed that an assessment by the Ghana Education Service (GES) had deemed the building structurally unsound and unfit for renovation, advising that a new structure be built instead. In an effort to address the crisis, the chief donated 50 bags of cement to initiate construction, but the project has since stalled.
Assemblyman Abdulia Hussein confirmed that engineers from the District Assembly also deemed the building unsafe. Despite repeated appeals for assistance, no progress has been made.
The future of Jantong Dashie JHS remains uncertain. If immediate action is not taken by the government and other stakeholders, the school, which serves as the only educational option for surrounding communities, could close its doors permanently, further disadvantaging the students it serves.
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