Dr. Clement Apaak, Member of Parliament for Builsa South Constituency, disclosed that a staggering 5,400 schools nationwide are forced to hold classes under trees, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address this pressing issue.
The Member of Parliament argued that the stark reality of 5,400 schools under trees contradicts the government’s claim of sufficient investment in educational infrastructure, exposing a glaring gap in their promise.
“We all know that basic education is the foundation as far as education is concerned. According to the government’s own statistics, we have 14,532 KGs in Ghana. For primary schools we have 14,368, for JHS we have 11,735 and for SHS we have 699. This is from the government’s report given to us in parliament.
Dr. Clement Apaak
Moreover, Dr. Apaak emphasized that the presence of over 5000 schools under trees is a stark indicator that the government’s overall performance in the education sector is poor, emphasizing government’s negligence of the sector.
As such, the MP contrasted the current administration’s record with that of the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, which he claimed, made a deliberate and concerted effort to tackle the issue of schools under trees, unlike the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) which has failed to make similar progress.
Dr. Apaak credited the outgoing NDC government in 2017 with making significant strides in eradicating schools under trees, virtually eliminating the phenomenon before handing over power.
However, he lambasted the Akufo-Addo administration for its negligence and failure to address the issue, allowing the problem of schools under trees to persist and even worsen under their watch.
Dr. Apaak highlighted the significant strides made by the previous NDC government under John Dramani Mahama’s leadership in the education sector, including notable achievements such as improved textbook-to-student ratios and enhanced teacher-to-student ratios, demonstrating a commitment to quality education.
Furniture Shortage In Basic Schools
Moreover, Dr. Clement Apaak highlighted the dire situation of furniture shortages in basic schools, revealing that approximately one million pupils in Ghana are forced to sit on the floor to learn, hindering their comfort and ability to focus on their education.
“What that means is that about one million of our wards go to school every day and they have to sit on the floor or sit on blocks to study. That clearly cannot be acceptable.”
Dr. Clement Apaak
Furthermore, Hon. Apaak assured that the NDC flagbearer, Former President John Dramani Mahama, will make it a priority to eradicate the furniture deficit in basic schools in the next NDC government.
He emphasized that the next NDC government will prioritize a conducive learning environment for all pupils by providing adequate furniture for basic schools nationwide.
As part of its presidential campaign promises, the NDC has outlined a comprehensive plan to enhance the education sector, with a specific focus on bridging the gap between rural and urban areas.
This includes targeted initiatives to ensure equal access to quality education for all, addressing the long-standing disparities in educational opportunities, and promoting equity and inclusivity nationwide.
Furthermore, the NDC has pledged to tackle the challenges facing second-cycle schools across the country, including addressing the shortcomings of the government’s Free SHS program.
The NDC’s plan includes expanding the initiative to encompass private senior high schools, enhancing the quality of education, and completely phasing out the double-track system to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive learning experience for all students.
Moreover, the NDC has committed to improving the quality of teaching experiences by investing in decent accommodations for teachers, particularly those serving in rural areas.
This initiative aims to incentivize teachers to accept postings in these areas, alleviate their financial burdens, and create a more conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.
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