5,403 Schools Still Under Trees In Ghana
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have come under serious attack for doing little to get rid of the country of all public basic schools under trees.
Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater 
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have come under serious attack for doing little to get rid of the country of all public basic schools under trees.
The pressure group calling itself Educate Africa Institute (EAI) which has raised the red flag over the issue revealed that there are 5,403 public schools under trees and in dilapidated structures with 2,417.
The group disclosed this in a strongly worded letter copied to the Minister of Education, Ghana Education Service Council, Director General of the Ghana Education Service, General Secretary of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National President of National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and National President for Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT GHANA).
Signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)of Educate Africa Institute (EAI) who doubles as an Educationist, Mr. William Boadi, a three-page letter has the Soireenews.com stated that the northern region has 304 schools under trees and 229 deplorable structures.
The group noted that 93.7% of schools especially those in the rural areas don't have computers and internet access.
"And, so they are teaching and learning Information and Communication Technology on chalkboards," the group said.
The group revealed that over 7,000 pupils lack furniture in the Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri district, Northeast region.
According to the group, 97.2% of teachers are psychologically molested and wobbling in poor conditions of service, adding that the teacher unions that are expected to advocate for the well-being of teachers are only interested in monthly dues and mutual funds increments.
It stressed that the government has tamed well-trained professional teachers to be silent on the issues. Due to that, they are too coward to complain to the media just to protect their jobs and scanty monthly salaries.
The group pointed out that the government is yet to settle an amount of GH¢315million Capitation Grant Arrears, noting that school children are being forced to pay electricity and water bills.
According to the group, lack of teaching and Learning Materials (audio/visual) and a serene environment that is supposed to enhance effective teaching and learning.
The group proposed that the government must provide all educational needs to ensure quality education.
The group maintained that it is time to polish and localize our educational curriculum holistically with serious technical and vocational skills.
It noted that the concentration should not be on those in the cities alone. We must widen the scope, warning that the government should depoliticize Ghana’s educational policies, activate the national policy, and avoid party manifestos.
It stressed the need of the government to relegate the missionary schools to the churches, adding that the COCOBOD and other scholarship schemes must be awarded to needy children, etc.
The group indicated its commitment and readiness to support the government in terms of human resources to renovate the education sector rapidly.
