Following media reports of population explosion at independence Junior High School (JHS) ‘A’ in the Obuasi East District of the Ashanti Region, where the Form One class has a record 162 students, the Adansihene, Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II, has visited the school to acquaint himself with the realities on the ground, with a view to a finding solution to the problem.

The Headmaster of the of school, Mr. Eric Ofori Ansah, assisted by the Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Regina Teni Musa Mumuni conducted the Omanhene round the school, including the Primary section as well as the Kindergarten.

The Headmaster told the Adansihene that the school has five classrooms, with 162 JHS1 students in one of them, 181 JHS 2 students occupying two classrooms, while 153 JHS 3 students use the two rooms.
He stated that with GH¢5,000 from the Parent Teacher (PTA) and a gift of GH¢7,500 from Prof Linne of the United States af America (USA), the school has initiated a two classroom block to be used by the JHS 1 students when completed.

An overwhelmed Omanhene expressed surprise at the huge – number of students in a classroom. “What I heard from the media was even on the low side. The figure is actually huge. I want to praise the teachers of the school for good work done to contain the situation,” he stated.

The Omanhene said he was going to meet the stakeholders of the school, including the District Chief Executive (DCE) and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Obuasi, next week at his palace at Fomena to strategise a way forward for the school.

The Chief promised to donate GH¢5,000 on Tuesday towards the construction of the two new blocks, and also pledged to retool the entire Kindergarten block.
He encouraged the pupils to study hard and aspire to be responsible persons in future.

The Omanhene also had the rare opportunity to meet 57-yearold Rita Offin, a mother of four who is in JHS 1 and aspiring to be a beneficiary of the Free SHS policy.
He encouraged her to study hard to enable her achieve her ambition in life.

Mr. Eric Ofori Ansah thanked the Adansihene and his encourage for the visit and his support towards the JHS and Kindergarten.

From Frederick Danso Abeam

Source: The Chronicle