Parents of students at Tamale Islamic Science Senior High School have stepped in to address some of the severe infrastructural challenges confronting the institution, following passionate appeals from students over poor living and learning conditions.
Students of the school have raised concerns about a myriad of challenges, including severe overcrowding in both boys’ and girls’ dormitories, persistent water shortages, and the lack of adequate toilet facilities.
These conditions, according to the students, have at times forced them to resort to open defecation, posing serious health and sanitation risks.
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The Senior Prefect of the school, Hamza Abdul Karim, highlighted these concerns during a brief ceremony organised after the renovation of the dilapidated boys’ dormitory.
According to him, the boys’ dormitory had been in a deplorable state for years, with leaking roofing sheets that made the facility almost uninhabitable whenever it rained.
He explained that during rainfall, students were often compelled to gather at one corner of the dormitory to avoid the leaking roof, a situation that affected their comfort, safety, and academic focus.
The situation, he noted, worsened after a heavy rainstorm ripped off portions of the roof, exposing students to harsh weather conditions and further disrupting effective teaching and learning.
Moved by the daily hardships endured by the students, the Concerned Parents Association (CPA) decided to intervene to alleviate the situation.
The Association undertook the renovation of a one-storey boys’ dormitory block, restoring the structure and making it fit for human habitation. With the completion of the project, students can now heave a sigh of relief, as one of their major challenges has been addressed.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Concerned Parents Association, Mr Charles Ayendago, who represented the parents, emphasised the importance of providing a conducive environment for students.
He noted that the welfare of students remains a shared responsibility, stating that when children study and reside in unsafe or uncomfortable structures, it negatively affects their academic performance and overall well-being.
Mr Ayendago explained that the renovation project was executed in phases.
He disclosed that the first phase, which involved major roofing works, cost GHC 89,015. The second phase amounted to GHC 64,659, while the third and final phase cost GHC 31,132.
He assured that parents of the school remain committed to complementing government efforts to address the numerous infrastructural needs of the institution.
The Headmaster of Tamale Islamic Science Senior High School, Alhaji Issifu Mohammed, expressed profound gratitude to the parents for their timely intervention.
He acknowledged that the school continues to face several challenges, including inadequate dormitory facilities, particularly for female students, insufficient classrooms and laboratories, lack of toilet facilities, inadequate staff accommodation, and the absence of a proper dining hall.
He added that access to water remains a daily struggle for both students and staff.
Despite these setbacks, Alhaji Issifu Mohammed noted that the school has remained committed to academic excellence and discipline.
He therefore appealed to the government and other stakeholders in education to come to the aid of the school by addressing its pressing infrastructural challenges to ensure a safer and more conducive environment for teaching and learning.
