02/04/2026
WEIJA-GBAWE MCE LEADS GROUND ASSESSMENT TO UNLOCK REAL EDUCATION CHALLENGES
The Chairman of the Municipal Education Oversight Committee and Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Weija-Gbawe, Hon. Felix Odartey Lamptey, has led a practical and hands-on assessment of basic schools across the municipality, marking a shift from office-based deliberations to direct field engagement.
The initiative, undertaken under the Reset Agenda of John Dramani Mahama, is aimed at identifying the real and pressing challenges affecting teaching and learning within the municipality.
Unlike traditional approaches where solutions are often discussed in committee rooms without firsthand knowledge of conditions on the ground, *this exercise is novel*, with the MCE and members of the committee taking deliberate steps to engage schools directly in order to better understand the realities facing learners.
Schools visited included Presby Basic and Junior High School (Weija), St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic School (Weija), Oblogo M/A Basic School, Gbawe Cluster of Schools, and Joma Methodist Basic School.
Findings from the visits highlighted critical challenges, including severe overcrowding in classrooms with an average of about 121 pupils per class, shortage of desks and chairs, and instances where pupils are forced to sit on benches due to inadequate furniture. In addition, some classrooms were observed to have leaking roofs, posing challenges to effective teaching and learning.
It was also observed that some classrooms lack windows and doors, exposing pupils to harsh weather conditions and raising serious safety concerns during school hours.
At St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic School, the situation is particularly worrying, as the school is prone to flooding whenever it rains, leaving behind unbearable mud and waterlogged compounds. The recurring floods continue to damage educational materials, further disrupting teaching and learning and making the environment difficult for both pupils and teachers.
The MCE interacted with students, encouraging them to remain focused on their education despite the challenges. He also assured teachers of his continuous support and commitment to improving conditions within the schools.
Stakeholders who accompanied the exercise included the Municipal Education Director, Deputy Municipal Coordinating Director, Municipal Health Director, Head of Social Welfare, Environment and Works, the Assembly Member for the Jammah Electoral Area, and other key officials.
At Joma Methodist Basic School, Headteacher Mr. Isaac Nana K**i expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as a first-of-its-kind initiative that demonstrates a more practical approach to addressing educational challenges.
The MCE also engaged food vendors within the schools and urged them to maintain proper hygiene standards to safeguard the health of pupils.
Hon. Lamptey has assured that the issues identified will be addressed with urgency, emphasizing a commitment to practical solutions that reflect the realities on the ground.
The initiative is expected to strengthen accountability and improve educational outcomes across the Weija-Gbawe Municipality.
