The future of education at the New Papase Apostolic Basic School hangs in the balance as the school’s infrastructure deteriorates, posing a serious safety risk to pupils and teachers. Located in the Bia West District of the Western North Region, the school is struggling with leaking roofs, unstable walls, and a critical lack of furniture, severely hampering academic activities.
Teachers, parents, and students have raised the alarm over the hazardous conditions, which have become a major disruption to learning. The situation is so dire that school authorities are routinely forced to shut down operations whenever it rains, fearing for the safety of those inside.
Mr. Danish Nicholas, the Assistant Headmaster of the school, described the environment as a serious risk to life. “We managed to roof part of the building, but the problem is far from over,” Mr. Nicholas stated. “Our lives are at risk here. Sometimes we have no choice but to close early depending on the weather, which has devastating implications for our academic calendar and the performance of our students.”
The deplorable state of the school is leading to a silent exodus of both staff and students. According to Mr. Nicholas, the harsh conditions are a primary factor in teacher turnover and declining enrollment. “We are losing teachers. When they arrive and see the condition of the place, they leave immediately. Some parents have also withdrawn their children because they are worried about their safety. The situation is getting worse by the day.”
One teacher, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that working at the school requires a special level of dedication. “Look at the structural integrity of the classrooms, the uneven floors, and the broken furniture. If you don’t have a genuine passion for the job, you simply cannot teach here.”
The sentiment is shared by the students, who feel unsafe and are considering leaving if the situation is not addressed. A student at the school expressed the collective frustration and fear among the pupils. “I have spoken with my friends, and we have decided to ask our parents to transfer us to another school if nothing is done. We are not comfortable here, especially when it rains and the wind blows.”
The school’s management is making an urgent appeal to the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and philanthropists to intervene with immediate infrastructural support before the situation leads to a tragedy and further disrupts the education of the children in the New Papase community.
