The Municipal Assembly Basic School at Kotokrom in the Sunyani Municipality of the Bono region has been closed down after 10 students were hospitalized due to the inhalation of dust emanating from the untarred Kotokrom-Yawhima road near the school.
According to parents of the pupils, their children are recording various forms of respiratory diseases due to the inhalation of dust from the road.
“Our children are falling sick because of the dusty nature of our road, You know the school is just by the roadside, so they inhale the dust when they are in school, we are appealing to the government to fix the road for us.”
Another parent also said
“The reason we are not allowing our children to go to school is that, the dust emanating from the road to the school is not good for their health, So, as parents and residents in Kotokrom, we resolved that we will not allow our children to go to school and inhale the dust and fall sick.”
The Assembly Member of Kotokrom electoral area, Dramani Mahama speaking in an interview on Sompa FM monitored by Univers News, said attempts made to engage various stakeholders to solve the issue has proved futile.
He said he had no choice than to agree with parents of the Municipal Assembly Basic School to shutdown the school till further notice.
“I’ve spoken to parents, teachers and even gone on to engage those in charge to get to the aid of the school but to no avail.
He also revealed that 10 students are currently receiving medical attention due to the inhalation of dust from the school.
About 10 children are battling for their lives with various respiratory diseases at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi due the dust inhaled at school. Even teachers are constantly forced to have a nose mask on, what then about the children. It is not easy for them.”
The school was closed down on Monday 23rd January, 2023. The authorities home to address the challenges before the resume academic activities again.
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Story by: Emmanuella Adu Gyamfi | univers.ug.edu.gh
