Pupils and teachers in the Dabilipuo and Danyaw Kuraa communities of the Wa East District are set to benefit from a major educational upgrade, with the Government of Ghana, through GETFund, pledging over GH¢10 million to replace their dilapidated school structures with modern facilities.

The ground-breaking ceremony, held recently at Danyaw Kuraa, was led by the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Wa East, Sayibu Adamu, on behalf of the Member of Parliament, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw.

The initiative will see each community receive a six-unit classroom block, a six-unit teachers’ quarters, and a six-seater toilet facility, each valued at more than GH¢5 million.

The intervention comes at a critical time, as the schools have long suffered from crumbling buildings and inadequate amenities, severely hampering the teaching and learning environment.

At Dabilipuo D/A Primary School, Headteacher Salifu Issahaque Kunateh described the school’s current mud-brick structures, built by the local community in 2015, as unsafe and terrifying for pupils, particularly during the rainy season.

The poor conditions have contributed to a decline in enrolment, dropping from over 200 pupils to fewer than 150.

Addressing the gathering at the sod-cutting ceremony, DCE Sayibu Adamu acknowledged the district’s broader infrastructural challenges, including poor road networks, lack of electricity, and limited healthcare facilities. He, however, emphasised that education remains the foundation of development.

“Replacing these deplorable school conditions is urgent. The provision of teachers’ quarters will also help attract and retain educators in these rural communities,” he stated.

The traditional leaders of both communities expressed gratitude for the development. Naa Abubakari Topie, Chief of Dabilipuo, described the project as a welcome relief and urged that construction proceeds without delay.

“We were not happy with the deplorable condition of our school. With this groundbreaking, we are hopeful, and we pray that work will move steadily to completion,” he said.

Similarly, the Chief of Danyaw Kuraa, Alhaji Hamidu Manwe Naa Daari Yahaya, praised the DCE for prioritising education.

While acknowledging that many youths in his community are engaged in mining, he highlighted the long-term value of the school project.

“The current state of the school is nothing to write home about. Although the community could have initiated this project ourselves, we are grateful the government has stepped in. Education must remain our priority,” he stated.

Contractor Sidik Seidu, representing T.A. Tanko Enterprise, reassured residents of a swift and quality execution.

“While the official deadline for completion is one year, we are committed to finishing the project within six months,” he confirmed.

The project is expected to transform the educational landscape of Dabilipuo and Danyaw Kuraa, providing safe, modern facilities that will improve learning conditions, enhance teacher retention, and bolster enrolment in these rural communities.