ActionAid Ghana (AAG), a Non-governmental organisation has presented some classroom furniture to two basic schools in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region.

They comprise 200 pieces of child-friendly furniture, 12 teachers’ tables and 14 chairs, to be distributed to the Goamu-Koforidua District Assembly (D/A) and Asamang D/A Basic Schools.

Speaking at separate ceremonies held at the two communities, Mr John Nkaw, the Country Director, AAG, said approximately 596,000 basic school pupils in rural communities nationwide lacked desks and chairs.

He said: “Many pupils are therefore forced to sit on the bare floor or share the limited furniture which hampers effective teaching and learning”.

Mr Nkaw explained that the AAG had provided classroom furniture to some selected schools in the Bono Region, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing educational equity and ensuring that every child learned with dignity.

He said the AAG’s Country Strategy Paper (CSPVII) prioritized access to quality, gender-responsive education saying over the past three decades, the NGO had advocated for policies like the Complementary Education Agency Act of 2020.

The Act supports disadvantaged groups and promotes the School Re-Entry Policy which enables pregnant girls to remain in school.

Mr Nkaw said “We are proud to have assisted over 20,511 girls and boys in enrolling or returning to school through the initiatives”.

Mr Richard Owusu Mensah, the Finance and Administration Officer at the Asutifi District Directorate of Education lauded the AAG’s continued support to the local communities in advancing the growth and development of education in the district.

He said the furniture would benefit both teachers and the students and asked the beneficiary schools to maintain them, urging families to invest in the education of their children and wards.

Mr Patterson Frempong, the Headmaster of Goamu-Koforidua D/A Basic School later told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the school had over 200 children saying inadequate desks were impeding effective teaching and learning.

Mr Augustine Okyere, the Headmaster of Asamang D/A Basic School said the school had about 268 children and expressed concern about inadequate teachers.