Some pupils of Gumongo Primary School in Mirigu
In a dimly lit classroom at Gumongo Primary School in Mirigu, Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region, 12-year-old Lordina Atubiga lies on the dusty floor, her eyes fixed on the blackboard.
With determination, she grips her pen, struggling to copy the words her teacher reads aloud.
Though she nods in understanding, the strain on her face reveals a deeper struggle—a battle against hardship, resilience, and the fear that her dream is slipping away.
Lordina, a Class 6 pupil, aspires to become a nurse, driven by a desire to help others in her community.
Yet, as she sits on the cold, hard floor of her overcrowded classroom, that dream feels distant.
“I want to be a nurse,” she says softly, her voice laced with both determination and fear.
“But I’m worried my dream might never come true because of the state of my school.”
Built in the 1990s, Gumongo Primary School is a stark reminder of the challenges facing rural education in Ghana.
The school, which serves 268 pupils, suffers from severe overcrowding, lack of basic furniture, and inadequate learning materials.
For Lordina and her classmates, learning is an uphill battle.
“When I was in Primary 1, we shared a classroom with the Primary 2 pupils,” she recalls.
“That situation hasn’t changed.”
Throughout her six years in school, Lordina has never sat on a proper desk or chair.
Instead, she and her classmates endure uncomfortable conditions, sitting on the bare floor or using makeshift seating arrangements.
“I’ve never sat on a chair or desk before,” she laments. “It’s hard to learn like this.”
The challenges extend beyond students to the dedicated but overwhelmed teachers.
The lack of basic facilities and overcrowded classrooms make it nearly impossible for them to deliver quality education.
“We are doing our best to teach these children,” a teacher admits.
“But the discomfort and overcrowding make it extremely difficult for them to concentrate.”
Faced with deteriorating conditions, school authorities and parents attempted to initiate a self-help project to build a two-unit classroom block.
Each parent was asked to contribute GH₵20 to fund the construction.
However, the initiative stalled due to the inability of many parents to afford the contribution.
Assembly Member Edmond has expressed deep concern over the school’s dire conditions.
“The situation at Gumongo Primary School is critical,” he states.
“We need urgent support from the government and other stakeholders to ensure these children receive the education they deserve.”
However, he notes that the school has not officially informed him of their plight, promising to take the issue up with relevant authorities.
The struggles at Gumongo Primary School mirror the broader challenges faced by rural schools across Ghana. The lack of infrastructure and resources continues to hinder students’ academic progress, putting their future aspirations at risk.
For Lordina, the dream of becoming a nurse remains alive, but with no proper classroom or furniture, the journey is daunting.
Despite these setbacks, she and her peers refuse to give up.
They come to school every day, clinging to the hope that help will come—and that one day, they will sit at a proper desk, in a proper classroom, working toward a brighter future