Teachers boycott class as residents turn school into toilet facility at Ahenema Kokoben

Teachers at Ahenema Kokoben D/A 1&2 cluster of schools in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of Ashanti Region have threatened to boycott teaching as residents in the area defecate in the classrooms.

Due to the lack of a toilet facility in the area, the residents have resorted to using the school’s classroom blocks as toilets.

Kwame Asafo Adjei, the chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the school, in an interview with Soireenews Yaw Owusu, said some of their teachers have refused to teach because of the stench.

“Our classrooms are uncompleted so open defecation is going on nicely here on regular basis, anytime we come in the morning we will find human excreta dotted in the classrooms and desks. 

“It is an eyesore and disheartening to see students in their uniforms trying to clean and scrub the classrooms before they begin classes,” he said.

One of the students Gideon Gyimfi expressed his frustration over the issue following the teachers' refusal to use the classroom.

Teachers in the school now teach the kids under the tree on the compound because they can not stand the disgusting odour in the classroom.

“Anytime teachers come to school they are greeted with toilet. How on earth can these innocent children be cleaning waste done by others?” Hon Asafo Adjei queried.

He added, “This is really affecting teaching and learning activities. We are going to have a meeting with the community members on this issue. If it continues after the meeting, we do not have any option other than closing down the school.

“We will take the teachers away because this thing has been going on for more than a year now so If we close down the school for even a week, the community will sit up.”