Ga South: Obaakrowa D/A students fear academic disruption amid rains

Education is often seen as the key to success. However, for students at Obaakrowa D/A Basic School, that key is hard to turn.

Obaakrowa is a small farming community in the Ga South Municipality of Greater Accra Region. Here, children study under trees due to a lack of classrooms. As the rainy season approaches, concerns are rising about their fragile learning environment.

At first glance, Obaakrowa D/A Basic School appears to have classroom blocks. A closer look reveals roofs in bad shape. Students from JHS 1 to JHS 3 now study outside, exposed to harsh weather conditions.

Their dreams hang in the balance. Whiteboards and school bags lean against tree trunks. Learning happens on wooden desks set in dust without walls or roofs.

"When the sun shines and you are writing, it becomes really hard," a student told Channel One News. They often have to move their desks for better spots.

As the rainy season arrives, it brings life but also threats. The open skies and ageing trees provide little shelter for students learning outdoors. When it rains, lessons stop completely.

When it's too hot, concentration drops significantly. Students worry about their education and health risks like malaria and skin rashes from prolonged exposure.

Gilbert Kwame Afekpe, the Assembly Member for the area, has expressed deep concern about these health issues. This concern grows as final-year students prepare for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Their future depends on exams they must study for outdoors. Afekpe urges authorities to intervene by constructing more classrooms and a new block for both JHS and primary departments.

"I am pleading with the government and relevant authorities to help us," he said.