Non-governmental organisation, One Cedi for Change (1C4C), has handed over about 70 galvanised dual desks to the Kalvio Basic School in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region.
The gesture under the groups “Sit a Child Project” followed media reports of the deplorable state in which pupils studied, especially on bare classroom floors and stones, a situation which affected quality teaching and learning activities.
At a brief handover ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Ms Helaria Wemeye Dalu, explained that the group was moved by the plight of the students to take the initiative to solicit funds to come to the aid of the school.
“It was a disheartening situation when during our work here we saw students in primary two, three and four sitting on the bare floor to learn so as a campaign, we sought to do something about it and solicited funds from benevolent individuals to build desks for these pupils.
“Today, it is with great joy that we present to the Kalvio Primary School these galvanised desks we have been able to build with the help of our donors,” she noted.
The CEO advised students to take their studies seriously and aspire for greater heights in life, while pleading with parents to encourage their wards to stay in school in order to realise their full potential.
Ms Dalu used the occasion to announce the NGO’s plan to extend similar support to the Gwenia Primary School, also deprived within the district.
The Planning Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the District, Mr Isaac Perbie who admitted the “huge furniture deficit” in most schools expressed relief that the 1C4C had shouldered some of the burden facing the district.
“Though the issue was before the Assembly, we didn’t know when they would have provided the school with desks so it comes as a relief that an organisation such as yours has come in to donate desks to the school.
“I believe this will go a long way to improve teaching and learning in the district, particularly in this school.”
Mr Perbi entreated teachers and pupils to take good care of the furniture to ensure they last long, appealing to philanthropists and well meaning organisations to support the work of the 1C4C to positively impact society.
“Education is the only way we can liberate our people from poverty and I appeal to all and sundry to help us in grooming our future leaders to realise their full potential,” he urged.
Headmaster of the Kalivio Primary School, Mr Kutumowo Ignatius, in receiving the furniture was full of praise to the NGO for supporting the school over the period saying, “the desks has been a major problem for us and we believe this will improve teaching and learning activities.”
He promised to ensure proper maintenance of the desks, though he appealed that other organisations come to the aid of the school in providing teachers with furniture as well.
On her part, Headmistress of the Gwenia Primary School, Evelyn Aduah, who received a donation of books to kick-start the engagement with her school, thanked the 1C4C for deciding to assist the school.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
