Assembly Man for Bankpama rallies support for a teacher’s quarters

Bankpama is a remote community in the Wa West District of the Upper West region, which is currently saddled with numerous developmental challenges, hence curtailing the ability of residents to access various social services.

The community, which currently has both a Primary School and a Junior High school, only has some dilapidated five rooms provided by the community and with the support of the former Member of Parliament, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, to help roof the building to house teachers.

Even though many of the teachers can’t reside in the teachers’ quarters, those who were living there have abandoned the building, aside from one of them, due to the deterioration of the building.

According to Hon John Anda, who spoke on Info Radio’s Zine Yiri Yela program, the Assembly Member for Bankpama Electoral Area, the building, since 2019, has developed severe cracks with leaking roofs, which makes it uninhabitable during the rainy seasons.

"The rooms were not built by the government; it was the chief and community members who contributed to putting up the building.

"In 2019, when I was posted there to teach, living in those rooms became very scary when it’s raining because at some point you feel the room is caving in on you".

Hon. John Anda says the unavailability of quarters for the teachers has compelled many of them to commute from Wa to Bankpama, which has resulted in lateness and absenteeism. This unfortunate situation, he says, is having a dire impact on teaching and learning.

During a community visit to Bankpama, our reporter gathered from community members that some teachers arrive at the school as late as 10:00 a.m. and leave by 1:00 p.m., which significantly reduces instructional hours.

According to Mr. Dari Biekyel, "our children in school aren’t getting enough contact hours and this isn’t good for any educational institution."

Meanwhile, the Assemblyman has indicated that the Wa West District Assembly ought to step in to renovate the facility to make it habitable.

He further pleaded with NGO’s and individuals who can also support in that regard. Hon. John Anda further called on the government to construct befitting quarters for the teachers.