Students at Adjoum M/A Basic School in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Region are compelled to use cement blocks as classroom furniture due to a lack of adequate seating and the absence of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) center.
This situation highlights the serious challenges facing Ghana’s education system. The issue has sparked outrage among parents and community members, illustrating the difficult conditions these young learners endure.
A visit by TV3 revealed a troubling scene: some students sat on cement blocks, while others lay on the bare floor to write during lessons, according to a report by 3news.com dated June 25, 2025.
The lack of proper furniture not only hinders academic performance but also jeopardizes students’ health and well-being.
Currently, the school has no dedicated ICT center, forcing the ICT facilitator to use her phone to teach digital literacy.
The ICT teacher explained, “Because we don’t have an ICT lab or computers, I use my phone to show the children pictures of a mouse, a keyboard, and a system unit. It’s not enough, but it’s all we have.”
Instead of desks and chairs, pupils precariously balance on concrete blocks, struggling to concentrate in an environment that is far from conducive to learning.
Hafis, a student, pleaded, “We need help. We are pleading with the government and NGOs to build an ICT center for us so we can learn better.”
The lack of basic amenities limits their ability to focus and poses potential health risks.
The headmaster echoed these concerns, calling for immediate intervention: “We are doing our best, but the learning environment is not adequate. We appeal to the government and stakeholders to assist us.”
Local authorities have acknowledged the problem, attributing it to insufficient funding and infrastructure. The Assembly Member for the area also joined the call, urging both the government and corporate institutions to prioritize the needs of schools like Adjoum M/A.
As the community demands swift action—calling for proper furniture and a commitment to improving the overall learning environment—the conditions at Adjoum M/A Basic School serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for educational reform and investment nationwide.
The plight of these students has sparked a wave of support, with calls for donations and assistance pouring in. As the world advances rapidly in digital education, the lack of basic ICT facilities and classroom furniture continues to widen the gap for children in underserved communities.
The hope is that this exposure will prompt swift intervention, ensuring that these children receive the quality education they deserve in a safe and supportive environment.
NAD/KA
Meanwhile, watch as victims of the June 3 disaster decry 10 years of neglect by the state:
