Kanton Senior High School (KANSEC) in the Upper West Region is experiencing a period of significant improvement following the NDC administration’s leadership, with notable gains in student feeding and infrastructure. However, the school faces persistent challenges, particularly concerning teacher and ICT infrastructure, exacerbated by a growing student population and sanitation issues. The Headteacher, Mahamudu Zakaria Savei, acknowledged the challenges, stating, ‘Students no longer have a problem with poor feeding or lack of food’ although he recognized occasional resource constraints.’
The school has implemented substantial infrastructure upgrades. A 12-unit classroom block, currently 80-85% complete, is underway, including painting, electrical work, and finishing touches. Furthermore, a 300-capacity hostel facility is being constructed, providing crucial accommodation for female students. The rehabilitation of internal roads, a commitment from the Ghana Highways Authority, represents a significant intervention decades in the making, promising to improve the learning environment.
According to the school, the student population is approaching 2,000, intensifying accommodation pressures, especially as the number of female students has risen faster than male students. The Principal expressed optimism that the hostel will significantly alleviate this issue. The school is also seeking investment in modern ICT facilities, recognizing that the current infrastructure is inadequate for 21st-century teaching and learning. The administration is urging the government, the Education Minister, the Upper West Regional Minister, and the Sisala East MP to prioritize KANSEC for crucial ICT upgrades.
Assistant Headmaster Samuel Aburiya highlighted the critical shortage of teachers, particularly in science and languages. Currently, only two physics teachers are available, with one not originally trained in the subject, necessitating teaching from a substitute. The Chemistry and English Language departments face similar staffing difficulties, with only one teacher for each subject.
Mr. Aburiya also noted a worrying trend of teacher departures, with five teachers leaving the school this year, potentially widening the staffing gap if replacements aren’t secured. The shortage extends beyond teaching, with several non-teaching positions remaining vacant, further straining resources. The sanitation situation is a pressing concern; rapid population growth has resulted in increased pressure on facilities, and inadequate sanitation could expose students to health risks, highlighting the need for urgent investment in additional sanitation facilities to meet the school’s expanding needs. The administration stressed the urgency of these improvements, emphasizing that the progress achieved in recent years must be coupled with significant investments in teachers, ICT infrastructure, sanitation, and other essential areas to ensure sustainable academic gains.”
This situation underscores the need for strategic investment in KANSEC to ensure the school’s continued success and address the evolving challenges it faces.
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Source: TV3
