Ghana MP pledges 200 desks to overcrowded Islamic high school in Bono East

The ASWAJ Islamic Senior High School, the first public Islamic senior high school in Ghana's Bono East Region, is grappling with significant infrastructure deficits following a sharp increase in student enrollment. According to MyJoyOnline, the institution opened in 2024 with an initial cohort of 50 students. Two years later, the school admitted over 450 first-year students this term, bringing its total student population to nearly 600. This rapid expansion has exposed gaps in both teaching facilities and student accommodation, forcing authorities to erect a makeshift pavilion to serve as classrooms for the newest cohort.

Headmaster Issah Sumaila Bahesi identified furniture and bunk beds as the school's most pressing needs. He noted that the current infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the enrollment surge. Bahesi told Joy News that the lack of mono desks and bunk beds constitutes a critical challenge, prompting a call for assistance from philanthropists and the government to address the deficit.

In response to these challenges, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, the Member of Parliament for Techiman South, paid a surprise visit to the campus. Korsah, who was instrumental in the school's establishment, acknowledged the teething problems associated with such rapid growth. To alleviate the immediate pressure, he pledged 200 mono desks to the institution. He expressed excitement at the school's progress while recognizing the need for tangible support to sustain its academic ambitions.

Beyond the furniture pledge, Korsah emphasized the strategic role of faith-based institutions in instilling discipline. He argued that discipline is more prevalent in such schools and expected the administration to leverage Islamic teachings to maintain high standards. This perspective aligns with the school's broader goal of serving as a center for both academic excellence and moral discipline in the region.

The visit also provided a morale boost for the student body. Senior Boys Prefect Abdallah Mohammed expressed gratitude on behalf of the students for the MP's presence and the promised support. While the pledge of 200 desks is a significant step, the headmaster continues to urge other stakeholders to contribute, particularly regarding the urgent need for bunk beds to accommodate the growing boarding population.