By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Wa, (UW/R), June 18, GNA – Parents of pupils at the Wa Methodist School for the Blind have approved the introduction of a health levy and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) dues towards improving healthcare delivery and addressing pressing challenges confronting the school.
The decision was taken at the school’s first PTA meeting in a decade, after Reverend Monica Achana, the Headmistress of the School, reported challenges at the school which affect the children’s welfare.
The health levy was expected to help stock the school’s infirmary with essential medicines, following concerns over a lack of drugs at the facility, which had made it difficult to treat infections and other minor ailments among the learners.
Addressing the meeting, Rev. Achana described the school’s physical environment as unsafe for the learners due to numerous potholes created by erosion, which posed risks to the children, many of whom sustained injuries after falling into the potholes.
She, therefore, appealed to parents, old students, philanthropists, and other stakeholders to help level the compound and make the school environment safer and more accessible to the learners.
The Headmistress advocated the establishment of resource centres across the country to support children with special educational needs who were unable to cope with mainstream academic work or vocational training.
Rev. Achana observed that parental neglect continued to compound the challenges facing many learners, as some parents paid little attention to their children’s health and general welfare even after enrolling them in school.
She cited instances where she had personally taken some pupils to Bliss Eye Care for treatment of eye conditions that could have worsened their visual impairments if left unattended.
Rev. Achana also expressed concern over deviant behaviours among some students, including drug abuse and sexual promiscuity, which she partly attributed to unfettered access to mobile phones by children on campus.
Some parents, however, attributed the situation to inadequate security checks at the school’s entrance, as that allowed unscrupulous persons to smuggle drugs and other prohibited items to learners.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Emmanuel Bawa, a parent, entreated parents to demonstrate greater commitment to the welfare of their children, especially those with special needs.
He lamented that some parents abandoned responsibility for their children after enrolling them in special schools, leaving school authorities to shoulder most of their welfare needs.
Mr Bawa urged also school authorities to insist that every learner report to school with a valid National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card to minimise medical costs incurred by the school and ensure timely access to healthcare.
The parents expressed optimism that the revival of the PTA after over a decade of inactivity would strengthen collaboration between families and school authorities to improve the welfare, safety, and development of learners at the school.
The PTA also elected executives to steer the affairs of the association. They were: Mr Emmanuel Bawa, Chairperson; Mrs Rumeshetu Batong, Vice Chairperson; Mr Frank Mwinbuobu, Secretary; and Mrs Hamza Mariam, Treasurer.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Philip Tengzu, GNA
Email: [email protected]