Imagine a school where two teachers are responsible for eight classes, where four grade levels are merged into a single classroom, and where the building itself is literally collapsing around the pupils.
This is the reality that has defined Dimango M/A Basic School in the Nkoranza South Constituency for years. But today, a new chapter begins.
A School in Crisis: Infrastructure on the Verge of Collapse
The physical structure of Dimango M/A Basic School tells a painful story. The school’s main building, which has served the community for years, was partly ripped off by torrential rains, leaving sections of it collapsed and dangerously unsafe for young learners.
For years, pupils have been forced to study in these dilapidated conditions—exposed to the elements and learning in an environment that poses serious health and safety risks. The crumbling walls and damaged roofing sheets are a constant reminder of the neglect that rural schools continue to face across Ghana.
The situation is compounded by the terrible road network connecting Nkoranza to Dimango. During rainy days, the roads become nearly impassable, cutting off teachers and students from the school entirely.
Two Teachers, Eight Classes: The Teacher Deficit
If the infrastructure is a crisis, the staffing situation is nothing short of alarming.
Headmaster Samuel Yaw Amankwa Junior revealed that the school currently has only two teachers managing eight classes—from kindergarten to primary six. To cope with the shortfall, teachers are forced to combine four different classes at a time, a practice that is severely undermining academic progress.
“Top on the list of the school’s challenges is the lack of teachers,” Mr. Teri told Joy News. “We have two teachers taking care of eight classes. We combine four classes at a time, and this is affecting academic work badly.”
The headmaster explained that the combination of multi-grade teaching and poor infrastructure has created an environment where meaningful learning is nearly impossible.
“How can one teacher effectively teach four different grade levels in a single classroom? The children are suffering, and their futures are at stake.”
He appealed to the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education to urgently post more teachers to the school, noting that without adequate staffing, even the best infrastructure will not translate into quality education.
The MP’s Intervention: A Three-Unit Classroom Block
Recognizing the urgent need, the Member of Parliament for Nkoranza South, who doubles as the Minister for Labour, Mr Emmanuel Agyekum, has stepped in with a tangible solution.
Today, the MP handed over a brand new three-unit classroom block to the school, providing pupils with a safe, modern, and conducive learning environment for the first time in years.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mr Agyekum emphasized that the project is part of his commitment to improving education in the constituency.
“The move is to provide the pupils with a decent education infrastructure in order to prevent the young children from walking several kilometers to neighboring communities to school,” he said.
“This is to bring better education closer to the pupils, who are the future of the country.”
The MP noted that investing in rural education is essential for bridging the gap between urban and rural communities, and he assured the community of his continued support.
A Community’s Hope
The handover ceremony was met with joy and relief from parents, community elders, and students who have long advocated for better conditions at the school.
For the people of Dimango, the new classroom block is more than just a building—it is a symbol of hope and a sign that their children’s education matters.
However, the community is acutely aware that infrastructure alone will not solve the problem. The Headmaster’s appeal for more teachers remains unanswered, and the road network continues to be a barrier to consistent attendance.
What Lies Ahead
The new classroom block is a significant step forward, but Dimango M/A Basic School still faces an uphill battle. The community is calling on the government, the Ghana Education Service, and other stakeholders to address the teacher deficit and improve the road network.
For now, the pupils of Dimango have a safer place to learn—and a renewed sense of hope that their future is brighter than their past.