Obuasi, Ashanti Region — The Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Mr. Zakaria Abdullah, popularly known as Papa, has made a passionate appeal to government and education stakeholders to urgently intervene and provide essential infrastructure, including beds and classroom furniture, to ease severe congestion and improve teaching and learning conditions at the school.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Lawson TV, Mr. Abdullah described the current state of affairs as alarming, revealing that rapid student population growth has far outpaced the school’s infrastructure capacity. “We are in a crisis. Our dormitories are overcrowded due to a lack of beds, and many of our classrooms do not have enough desks and chairs. This is affecting effective teaching and learning,” he lamented.
The Headmaster emphasized that although the school administration and local stakeholders are doing their best to manage the situation, the problem requires strong government intervention for a sustainable solution. He stressed that investments in basic infrastructure are critical if the government is determined to phase out the double-track system in Ghana’s senior high schools.
“You cannot talk about ending double-track if schools do not have the facilities to absorb the full population. It starts with the basics—beds, desks, classrooms, and other resources,” Mr. Abdullah said.
WASSCE Preparation and Academic Integrity
Mr. Abdullah also used the opportunity to address the issue of examination malpractice, particularly with the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) approaching. He appealed to parents, teachers, and education authorities to work collectively to uphold high academic standards and integrity.
He advised students to focus on adequate preparation and shun the temptation of seeking leaked examination materials, commonly referred to as apor. “I want to tell my students: Believe in yourselves. Don’t rely on apor. It will only harm your future. Success earned honestly is success that lasts,” he cautioned.
Call for Support
The Obuasi SHTS Headmaster’s call underscores a broader challenge facing many senior high schools in Ghana, where high enrollment rates continue to strain limited resources. Education experts and community leaders have long advocated for more investment in school infrastructure to ensure that students learn in a safe and conducive environment.
Mr. Abdullah’s appeal is expected to resonate with both policymakers and development partners, as he seeks immediate action to address the infrastructural gap and provide relief for students and teachers at Obuasi Senior High Technical School.
