Gushegu M/A Primary: 161 pupils crammed in one classroom 

Primary three pupils of the Gushegu M/A Primary School in the Northern Region, who are 161 in number, are all crammed in a classroom relatively smaller than the class size. Aside being massed in the classroom, the pupils do not have enough seats leaving four and more of them sharing a desk while others sit on the bare floor. ? ? ?This came to light when a media team visited the school to monitor its furniture situation.? ? ? ?The desks in the class were arranged very close to each other making free movement in the unventilated classroom impossible.? ? ? ?The classroom was filled so much that some of the pupils sat on the floor very close to the black board leaving little space for entry.?? ? ? ?Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service's (GES) recommended standard class size is 35 pupils per class. ? ? ?During the visit, the pupils were seeing sweating during lesson as the weather was hot. ? ? ?Mr Abdul Razak Abdulai, Primary Three Class Teacher at the school, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, s aid it was frustrating handling a class of 161 pupils saying he wished the number were lower to ease the stress on him and the children.? ? ? ?He said 'The weather is hot, and the children are always sweating. They are not comfortable to learn.' ? ? ?He lamented about the inadequate furniture situation of the school saying it compelled the pupils to sit on the floor describing it as terrible. ? ? ?Mr Abdulai said the situation needed immediate intervention appealing for more structures and furniture for the school. ? ? ?The Ghana News Agency spoke with a Clinical Psychologist on the impact of the congestion on pupils' learning abilities.? ? ? ?Mr Peter Amadu Mintir, Clinical Psychologist at Total Life Enhancement Centre, said overcrowding in an educational environment could lead to increased stress, anxiety, and the feeling of helplessness. ? ? ?He said the pupils' ability to concentrate could be reduced during lessons and level of frustration heightened.? ? ? ?He stated that the learning outcomes of t he class three pupils could be impaired because some pupils, who might need extra attention, would not be identified by the teacher due to the large class size. ? ? ?He said, 'An overcrowded classroom can create discomfort that will impede the ability of individuals to achieve optimal learning outcome.' ? ? ?Mr Mintir added that there might be reduced individualised attention among the pupils, which could further deter them from retaining information. Source: Ghana News Agency