Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Education
Authorities at the Tatale Evangelical Presbyterian Agriculture Senior High School (SHS) have opted out of the double track system under the free Senior High School (SHS) policy due to inadequate infrastructure in the school.
DAILY GUIDE gathered that the two Deputy Director Generals of the Ministry of Education met heads of second cycle institutions in the Northern Region and when complaints were tabled before them, they decided to cancel the double track system in some of the schools.
Assistant Headmaster of the school, Francis Sanekey, revealed that over the years, management of the school has written on countless occasions to the Ministry of Education and the Regional Director of Education for the status of the school to be elevated to a boarding one with the requisite facilities.
According to him, about 1,000 students declined to attend the school when posted to the school due to the inadequate infrastructure.
He indicated that there are no classrooms for the 500 students who have been placed in the school.
“The situation is actually affecting us academically because the students will close from school and instead of relaxing they rather use all the time to cook in the night for themselves, and by the time they finish; they are already tired.’
He appealed to government to construct a 12-unit classroom block for the school to enhance teaching and learning.
“The students, especially those from outside Tatale, have rented houses while others are living with their friends since the school remains a day school. After long hours in the classroom, they are forced to go to the nearest market to buy foodstuffs to cook. Sometimes when school closes late, they are unable to make it to preps, as they will cook and become exceedingly tired.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Tampi Acheampong Simon, gave assurance that he would support management of the school to provide accommodation to the students, as well as provide them with the requisite teaching and learning materials to help them improve their academic performance.
He also promised to ensure that the school attains boarding status.
From Eric Kombat, Tatale