Residents of Volo in the Volta Region’s North Tongu Constituency are pleading for immediate intervention after a severe rainstorm caused massive destruction to the Volo Community Day SHS.
only lasted 15 to 20 minutes, the strong winds ripped off significant portions of the school’s E-block roof. Consequently, classrooms were left exposed to heavy rains, and key administrative areas, including the bursar’s office, were severely flooded.
Furthermore, Anthony Menuah, the Assembly Member for the Volo Electoral Area, informed the Daily Graphic that the storm destroyed parts of at least three houses in the wider community. Nevertheless, the Volo Community Day SHS suffered the most catastrophic damage.
Exams at Volo Community Day SHS Under Threat
Mr. Menuah expressed deep concern regarding the timing of this natural disaster. Specifically, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is scheduled to begin on May 4, while other WASSCE examinations are currently ongoing.
Because the school serves as a crucial examination centre for nearby communities like Tagadzi, the situation is incredibly urgent. Therefore, Mr. Menuah warned that failure to execute immediate repairs could completely disrupt the upcoming exams.
Student Hostels Flooded
In addition to the classrooms, the heavy rains affected students living in the school’s hostels. Many students had their personal belongings completely soaked. As a temporary measure, authorities have relocated these students to makeshift structures. Unfortunately, this raises serious concerns about overcrowding and its negative impact on student learning.
Urgent Appeal for the Volo Community Day SHS
Given the severity of the crisis, Mr. Menuah is urgently appealing to government agencies, NGOs, and the general public. He requests immediate support to rehabilitate the damaged structures and restore a safe, conducive learning environment for the students.
School Authorities Respond to the Crisis
Eric Dzeble, the Headmaster of the school, stated that authorities immediately took action to manage the crisis and ensure student safety.
“Our first priority was to keep students away from the damaged classrooms,” he explained. Notably, one final-year student sustained injuries and was quickly rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Additionally, Mr. Dzeble noted that staff swiftly moved furniture, such as tables and chairs, from the exposed areas to prevent further rainwater damage. Moreover, they relocated ongoing classes to safer buildings to maintain the continuity of teaching and learning.
Meanwhile, officials from the District Assembly—including the District Director of Education, the District Engineer, and the Planning Officer—have officially visited the Volo Community Day SHS to assess the full extent of the damages.