Located in the serene village of Tanfiano, nestled in the Nkoransa North District of the Bono East Region, Tanfiano D/A Basic School faces distinctive challenges as it doubles as both a burial ground and a sheep pen.
The school, positioned between the final resting place of the departed and the bustling activity of a sheep pen, grapples with deplorable infrastructure, insufficient teachers, and harsh learning conditions.
Chris Ameyaw, the social studies teacher, expressed the difficulties caused by the outdated pavilion structure of the Junior High School (JHS) block, stating, “When a teacher is teaching there, you hear the voice. At the same time, the children also listen to what another person is teaching, and it becomes confusing.”
Mr. Appiah, the science teacher, highlighted the scarcity of teachers and accommodation issues, emphasizing the challenges faced in handling multiple subjects.
Pupils also find it hard to concentrate due to distractions such as bleating goats, conversations from passersby, and moving cars.
Lillian Amoako, a Form 2 pupil, pleaded for intervention, stating, “Because our school building is deplorable, we feel uncomfortable when learning.
We're pleading with authorities to build a new school structure for us. There are no classrooms, no furniture, and no teaching and learning materials.”
Patience, another pupil, expressed frustration over animals entering classrooms during lessons, causing constant interruptions.
The community constructed the current classroom through communal labor in 2016 when the school lacked a JHS wing.
Despite efforts, the school remains underdeveloped, lacking adequate teachers and accommodations.
The Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association urged the government to assist, emphasizing the need for more teachers and rooms.
Blessing Sarfo, a Form 3 pupil, voiced concerns about the proximity of the cemetery, expressing fear and pleading for help.
The pervasive fear of ghosts adds another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by both educators and pupils.
The headmaster, acknowledging the challenges, highlighted the resilience of the students in academics and competitions.
The community continues to hope for transformation, aspiring for a conducive educational environment free from current distractions.
