The Director of Education, Shai Osudoku District, Elizabeth Awoonor-Williams, has said that some basic schools in the district are understaffed due to newly posted teachers rejecting their posting as a result of the bad road network and lack of accommodation facilities.
According to her, the peculiar nature of the district – whereby the various communities are scattered – makes it very difficult for teachers to accept postings due to underlying factors such as poor road networks and challenges in seeking decent accommodation.
“Education as we all know requires the collaboration of all stakeholders, of which corporate organizations are no exception. We are therefore entreating all stakeholders to come in and support us in terms of accommodation for teachers and classrooms,” she said.
She further indicated that the district, which comprises 59 basic schools scattered in over 100 communities, also has some classroom infrastructure and furniture challenges in the bigger communities which need to be addressed.
She made the following remarks in an interview with the B&FT on the sidelines of a handing-over ceremony to present a 10-unit bungalow to teachers and nurses in Volivo, one of the communities in the district.
In response, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Daniel Akuffo – touching on government’s effort in addressing needs of the people in Shai Osudoku, stated that a number of education sector projects are ongoing in some schools of the district to ensure adequate classroom infrastructure.
In relation to the road networks, he indicated that some major roads in the district have been awarded to road constructors to work on by government, and work will begin soon.
“The main road from Asutsuare Junction heading toward Osuwem has been awarded and we have three constructors on that stretch; two of them have reported to site, but the third one is yet to report.
“These are part of measures government has taken to ensure our roads are motorable. In addition, the Asutsuare town roads, too, have been awarded; some of the constructors have reported to site but some few challenges are inhibiting works. From Ayikuma to Doryumu also has a constructor on that stretch and it will be completed very soon. So, the people of Shai Osudoku will get their fair share of roads this year,” he said.