By Gilbert Azeem Tiroog
Sakoti, (U/E), March 07, GNA – As Ghana marks its 68th Independence Anniversary, the Nabdam District Education Directorate in the Upper East Region has highlighted critical challenges threatening quality education delivery in the district and called for immediate intervention.
Madam Mary Magdalene Wompakeah, the District Director of Education, highlighted the challenges of the district at the Independence Day parade held at Sakoti, a suburb of Nabdam, reflecting on the 68th national celebration theme: “Reflect, Review and Reset”.
She said limited infrastructure, poor state of some of the schools and furniture deficit as major challenges confronting quality education delivery in the area.
Madam Wompakeah, said the situation was particularly alarming at the condition of Pelungu Kindergarten Basic School, where the school structure posed a severe threat to the safety of pupils.
“Their structure is like a death trap, and also the Damolgu Basic School is confronted with insufficient classrooms, as the temporary structure constructed by the School Management Committee is no more safe for the pupils,” she added.
Madam Wompakeah stated that despite notable achievements, including the successful organisation of the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the district-level reading festivals, the poor state of some school infrastructure in the district continued to affect teaching and learning.
“Many schools still lack adequate furniture, with the absence of computers and accessories limiting ICT education. Kongo Senior High, which is the district’s only senior high school, also faces major setbacks with the lack of a standardised science laboratory for the effective teaching of science practical,” she added.
She said the school was experiencing increasing cases of student indiscipline and high dropout rates, exacerbating the already dire situation.
Beyond infrastructure, there were financial constraints which continued to hinder the school’s progress, as delays in the release of District Office Grant (DOG) funds had affected effective school monitoring, Madam Wompakeah said.
She mentioned other challenges such as the issue of low parental commitment to girls’ education and support for children with special needs, saying these remained a concern as it continued to hinder progress in the district.
The Director, however, acknowledged the support of stakeholders, including the Nabdam District Assembly, the Member of Parliament, and Non-Governmental Organisations, who had contributed classroom blocks, furniture, and educational materials to support the Directorate.
She appealed to the government to establish a Senior High Technical School in the district and absorb the Sakoti Methodist Senior High Technical School, into the public system to ease pressure on the Kongo Senior High.
“Our growing student population needs additional facilities. We also urge the establishment of kindergarten schools in Kontintabig and Logre communities to improve access, especially during the rainy season,” she added.
Madam Rosina Musah, the Nabdam District Coordinating Director, urged teachers to continue to show commitment despite the challenges to enhance the district’s human resources base and the country as a whole.
GNA