News : Pupils walk barefooted through snake-infested bushes to school

By Philip Otuo,

Many School Pupils of Ntanoam D/A Primary School in the Fanteakwa district of the Eastern Region walk barefooted to school every day.

Parents are unable to afford school sandals and uniforms for their children due to abject poverty in the area.



The pupils, between 3 and 12 years, are, therefore, compelled to trek long distances through bushes to get to school in communities like Ntanoam, Klonkonsu and Amoatary-Sinor.

Apart from their barefooted travails, the pupils are also resigned to wearing torn uniforms comparable to rags, to school.

The Headmaster of Ntanoam D/A Primary School, Mr Boafo Humphrey explained to Starr News when Correspondent Kojo Ansah visited the area that the situation is worrying, especially during the rainy seasons, adding that due to the geographical location of settlements in the community, the pupils are exposed to threats of snake bites and attacks from other reptiles as they traverse the bushes to get to school.

Some of the barefooted pupils

Mr Humphrey also complained that pupils from the Kindergarten are cramped together in the only three classrooms available with their colleagues from classes one to six for teaching and learning activities, a situation which he said hinders academic work. The Teachers also share the same space with the overcrowded classrooms.

The Chief of Ntanoam village, Opata Samuel who doubles as the Chairman of the School’s Management Committee explained that the Fanteakwa district assembly years ago, demolished the old decrepit school structure built in 1960 and put up only three classrooms. He is, therefore, appealing to government to build the additional classrooms to ease the congested mix.

Mr. Opata said the PTA attempted to put up a classroom for the KG pupils two years ago but it has stalled due to lack of funds.


Source: Ghana/StarrFMonline.com/103.5fm