School Building Collapses In Rain, 20 Pupils Narrowly Escape
Tragedy
Twenty students of Zamboree D/A Basic School in the Assin
North District of the Central Region of Ghana, had a narrow escape from tragedy
when their school building collapsed during a rainstorm on Monday, May 13, 2024.
The incident, which occurred around 9:00 AM while classes were in session, sent
shockwaves through the farming community.
Constructed from mud and supported precariously by wood, the
structure had long been a concern for locals and had weathered years of neglect
despite repeated appeals to the government for support. The vulnerability of
the building was tragically exposed when the rainstorm struck, exacerbating
existing cracks and weakening its structure.
Mr. Jacob Tetteh Agbeko, the School Management Committee
Chairman, recounted the harrowing experience. Only pupils in Classes Two and
Three were affected as teachers, realizing the imminent danger, swiftly
evacuated them moments before the collapse. However, their books and bags were
trapped in the debris.
In the aftermath, classes have been merged to accommodate
the affected pupils, but urgent assistance is required to rebuild and support
the school. Both the government and corporate entities are called upon to
intervene promptly. Additionally, parents and students urged the completion of
an abandoned six-unit classroom block, which has become a haven for wildlife,
posing further risks to students.
Mr. Thomas Yogarim, the area's Assemblyman, reported that
authorities including the National Disaster Management Organisation and the
District Assembly have been notified and are expected to assess the situation
and provide aid.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need
for infrastructure maintenance and government responsiveness in safeguarding
the lives of students in vulnerable communities.
