Students and management of Navrongo Senior High School (NAVASCO) have raised serious concerns about the school’s deteriorating infrastructure, describing conditions such as bat-infested dormitories, dilapidated staff bungalows and inadequate science laboratory equipment as major obstacles to teaching and learning.
The concerns were presented during the school’s 8th NABIA co-sponsored Speech and Prize-Giving Day, where both student leaders and administrators detailed the challenges confronting the institution.
Senior Prefect Atambeogo Abraham Awinyangit said the boys’ dormitories had become unsafe due to weakened ceilings that allow bats to invade the rooms. He said the situation was so severe that “vampires are able to manoeuvre their way into the dormitories,” stressing that “all the boys’ dormitories are bat-infested.”
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He added that furniture shortages were also undermining students’ comfort and focus, with many forced to sit or stand in uncomfortable positions during lessons.
He further highlighted the lack of adequate science equipment, saying outdated and insufficient tools were preventing students from gaining essential practical experience.
“Science and practical learning require hands-on experience, but outdated and inadequate equipment limit our ability to explore, experiment, and innovate,” he said.
Headmistress Mercy Babachuweh affirmed the students’ concerns, revealing that many staff bungalows were in deplorable condition, with broken asbestos roofing posing health risks.
She said inadequate staff accommodation was also affecting supervision and discipline. Despite fumigation efforts, she noted that the bat infestation persisted, explaining that only re-roofing would prevent their entry.
She appealed to stakeholders and old students, especially those from the affected Livingston/Ferguson and Nkrumah/Guggisberg houses, to support rehabilitation efforts.
Madam Babachuweh also reported that the school dam had been severely damaged by heavy rains, leaving it silted with a broken spillway.
She cited an estimated GH¢12,052.20 cost for repairs, provided by the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, and called on the NABIA and the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly for assistance.
Responding to the concerns, Deputy Minister of Education Dr Clement Apaak assured the school community that their issues had been presented to the Ministry.
He emphasised that Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, an old student of NAVASCO, was committed to resolving the school’s infrastructure and academic challenges.
Dr Apaak also pledged to facilitate the school’s connection to the national fibre optic network to support digital learning.
He announced GH¢50,000 as seed funding for the NAVASCO Speech and Prize-Giving Foundation, with GH¢40,000 donated by Mr Iddrisu and GH¢10,000 as his personal contribution. He further presented GH¢10,000, GH¢5,000 each for the best Science and Business students, on behalf of the Minister.
