Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 29 July ?99
Authorities of the Banda Senior Secondary School at Banda Ahenkro in Brong Ahafo have stated that problems of school drop-outs, poor enrolment and staffing are not peculiar to the school but a general phenomena affecting schools in the region.
They said while the school has its own problems, including those mentioned, they have nothing to do with chieftaincy disputes as alleged in a recent newspaper publication.
Mr Adiiro Amos, headmaster of the school, and Mr James Anane, member of the Brong-Ahafo Students Union (BASU), Legon branch, were reacting to a publication which also alleged that teachers refuse postings to the school because of a protracted chieftaincy dispute in the area.
They explained in a statement that, the school, which was started by the community in 1993, used to enjoy invaluable services of national service personnel of the former sixth form system.
However, since this was phased out four years later, the services of the students have ceased leaving all academic training to the four permanent staff whose salaries are borne by the community, sometimes with difficulty.
They said the school needs additional teachers but due to financial constraints, this has not been possible and said efforts are being made for the Ministry of Education to take over the school.
Mr Amos and Mr Anane said there are many teachers in primary, junior and senior secondary schools who are non-citizens living and working peacefully in the town and described the allegation that teachers have left the schools due to the said dispute as baseless and a fabrication.
On examinations, they said contrary to the publication, all first batch students took part in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the West African Examination Council.
Some students who qualified to enter the universities but could not enter due to limited vacancies have entered other tertiary institutions as alternatives.
They called on Mr Ebenezer Baffo-Mensah, who claims to be a member of BASU, Cape Coast branch, and originator of the story, to visit Banda to find things out for himself and stop making unsubstantiated statements which tend to demoralise people who are working hard to improve conditions at the school.
