Health and Hygiene at Risk as Bechem Technical Institute Lacks Proper Toilet and Bathroom Facilities

Teachers and students of Bechem Technical Institute in the Tano South Municipality of the Ahafo Region have raised serious concerns over the absence of proper toilet and bathroom facilities on campus, warning that the situation poses significant health, safety, and dignity risks, particularly for female students.

The school community is appealing to the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana TVET Service, and other relevant stakeholders for the immediate provision of ultra-modern sanitation facilities to replace the current structures, which they describe as unsafe, undignified, and wholly unacceptable for a technical institution.

According to teachers and students, the existing toilet and bathroom facilities are makeshift structures constructed with wood and fenced with straw, without adequate roofing or enclosure. They explained that the poor state of the facilities exposes users’ nudity, compromises privacy, and leaves students vulnerable to embarrassment and potential harm.

A teacher who spoke to the media expressed deep concern about the impact of the situation on students, especially girls, describing the facilities as uncomfortable and unsafe. The teacher stressed that the conditions fall far below the standards expected in an educational institution mandated to train skilled professionals.

Students also lamented that the fragile structures are easily destroyed by strong winds and become extremely dangerous during rainfall. They explained that during heavy rains, many students avoid using the toilets entirely for fear of injury from collapsing materials or falling wooden parts.

“Any strong wind can pull the whole place down, and when it rains, nobody wants to risk going there,” a student said, adding that the situation has created constant fear and discomfort among the student body.

Beyond sanitation challenges, the institute is also struggling with an acute shortage of classroom blocks, resulting in overcrowded classrooms that hinder effective teaching and learning. Teachers revealed that congestion in classrooms has made it difficult to maintain discipline and deliver lessons effectively, negatively affecting students’ academic performance.

The lack of adequate classroom furniture has further compounded the problem. Both teachers and students complained about the shortage of desks and chairs, noting that some students are forced to learn under uncomfortable conditions that affect concentration and learning outcomes.

“Some students struggle to focus because they do not even have proper desks to sit on,” a teacher explained, describing the situation as distressing and demoralizing for both staff and learners.

In addition, the institute is faced with a critical shortage of staff accommodation. The absence of decent bungalows for teachers has affected staff morale and retention, as several teachers are compelled to commute long distances daily, impacting punctuality and overall productivity.

Students residing in the boarding house have also joined the appeal, calling for the construction of modern dormitory facilities to accommodate the growing student population. They noted that existing accommodation structures are overstretched and no longer meet current demands.

Management of Bechem Technical Institute has therefore made a passionate appeal to authorities and stakeholders to intervene urgently to improve infrastructure at the school, warning that continued neglect could undermine teaching, learning, and the overall well-being of students and staff.

The school community remains hopeful that swift action will be taken to address the sanitation and infrastructure challenges to create a safe, dignified, and conducive learning environment.