Community Schools in Jimpensi Face Collapse, Parents and Officials Call for Urgent Action

Current State of Jimpensi D/A primary school block

Parents and community leaders in Jimpensi, a farming community within the Chala Electoral Area of the Daffiama/Bussie/Issa (DBI) District in the Upper West Region , have raised urgent concerns over the deteriorating condition of the local basic school. Describing the situation as a significant threat to both student safety and quality education, they are calling for immediate intervention from relevant authorities.

In an interview with Info Radio, Mr. Seidu Hakeem, Chairman of the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA), painted a grim picture of the school’s infrastructure. He stated that the current structure has become a "death trap," with roofing sheets, windows, and doors entirely removed, leaving the building exposed to the elements. The absence of furniture forces pupils to sit or lie directly on the bare floor during lessons, compromising effective teaching and learning.

Mr. Hakeem recalled that during the previous government’s tenure, officials, including the District Planning Officer, visited the community, assessed the school, and concluded that the existing building was beyond repair. The recommendation was to construct a new school block. However, despite assurances and promises of reconstruction, no action has been taken, leaving students and teachers to operate under hazardous and inadequate conditions.

The challenge is compounded by a severe shortage of teaching staff and basic facilities. Mr. Imoro Abass, Chair of the School Management Committee (SMC), disclosed that the entire school is grossly understaffed, with only two teachers serving the Junior High School (JHS) and four overseeing Kindergarten and Primary classes. Additionally, the school lacks furniture, forcing students to learn without proper seating.

The community’s representative, Hon. Mumuni Seidu B., the local Assemblyman, confirmed the dire state of the infrastructure. He revealed that engineers from the district confirmed that the existing school building cannot be rehabilitated and that the promised six-unit classroom block remains unconstructed. Moreover, a three-unit classroom project awarded to Book Company Limited by the Northern Development Authority (NDA) remains incomplete, with only partial work done—windows and doors installed, but painting and finishing works pending. The contractor has attributed the delays to nonpayment by the NDA, further delaying the school’s readiness for use.

In addition to Jimpensi, nearby schools such as Chala Basic School and Kenkellen Primary are also facing infrastructural challenges. The three-unit classroom blocks at Kenkellen and Banongyiri are overcrowded, forcing pupils from Kindergarten to Class Six to share facilities, while staff shortages persist. For instance, Jimpensi Junior High School has only two teachers for approximately 120 students, and the primary school has just three teachers for over 300 pupils.

Community leaders emphasize the urgent need for infrastructure development and staffing to ensure safe learning environments and improve educational outcomes in the area. They are calling on district education office and the District assembly to fulfill existing promises and expedite ongoing projects to prevent further deterioration and ensure that children in Jimpensi receive the quality education they deserve.