Inadequate furniture remains a major worry to the management of most Senior High Schools in the Eastern Region with students struggling to have comfortable desks to sit on to study.
While in some schools plastic chairs are being used as the improvised measure, multiple students either share a desk or stand to learn. Attempts by some Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs) to levy students to procure desks for them were halted by the Ministry of Education.
Latest statistics released by the Eastern Regional Directorate of Ghana Education Service (GES) indicate that 37,651 mono desks are needed to fix the furniture deficit in Second Cycle Schools in the region.
Additionally, according to GES, 3992 teachers’ tables and its pairing chairs are also needed.
Also, 28,385 beds are required in dormitories in schools with boarding facilities while dining tables and benches needed are 5241 and 9,674 respectively.
Again, 79 school buses and 73 administrative vehicles are needed in some Second Cycle Schools in the region currently with either grounded or without a single vehicle.
Making a presentation on the state of Education at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council’s Ordinary Meeting in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Director of GES, Monica Ankrah, said the Free SHS Policy has increased enrolment from 42,755 in 2016 to 66,833 in 2018 exerting pressure on existing facilities and Human resources.
She, however, hastened to add that government to mitigate the situation is rolling out some interventions.
She mentioned the ongoing expansion of infrastructure to decongest classrooms and dormitories and recruitment of more teachers to augment the current teaching staff strength of 5,838.
She said about 3,500 none teaching staff are needed to strengthen the current number of 2460 staff, most retiring particularly cooks and pantry personnel to reduce the enormous workloads on them.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah