Several pupils of Anomagye M/A Basic School in the Suame Municipality of the Ashanti Region have reportedly contracted infections believed to be linked to the school’s dilapidated and unhygienic urinals and toilet facilities.
The situation has sparked serious concern among parents and teachers, with some guardians threatening to withdraw their children if immediate steps are not taken to resolve the issue.
School authorities say a long-planned construction of new washrooms has stalled due to funding challenges, leaving the over 800 pupils at the mercy of outdated, poorly constructed sanitation facilities that lack even the most basic infrastructure like doors, windows, and a reliable water supply.
According to Otec News reporter Elizabeth Gyamfuaa Fosu, the deteriorating state of the school’s sanitation facilities has made them a breeding ground for infections—mainly urinary and skin-related—that are contributing to a spike in absenteeism.
Pupils at the school shared their daily struggles with accessing hygienic washrooms. “It’s very difficult for us. The toilets are dirty and smelly. Sometimes, we have to go to people’s houses to use their washrooms,” one pupil lamented.
Another student described the danger of crossing a busy road just to access a toilet outside the school compound. “We cross the big road to look for toilets. Cars move very fast, and it’s scary,” he said.
The situation has not only disrupted learning but also placed pupils’ health and safety at risk, prompting strong reactions from the parent community. “We can’t watch our children fall sick every term. If nothing is done soon, we’ll move them to safer schools,” one parent said.
Teachers at the school confirmed the dire conditions and appealed for urgent intervention. “We are doing our best, but without proper facilities, the children are at risk,” one teacher said. They revealed that multiple appeals to the appropriate authorities for repairs and sanitation support have yielded no response.
The growing crisis at Anomagye M/A Basic School has become a test of the District Assembly’s and the Ghana Education Service’s commitment to ensuring safe learning environments for all children. As infections rise and frustration mounts, the school community is demanding more than promises. It is calling for immediate and decisive action to restore dignity, safety, and basic health standards for its pupils.
