Accra: Parents of pupils at the Wa Methodist School for the Blind have approved the introduction of a health levy and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) dues aimed at improving healthcare delivery and addressing pressing challenges confronting the school. This decision was reached during the school's first PTA meeting in a decade, following a report by Reverend Monica Achana, the Headmistress of the School, on the challenges affecting the children's welfare.
According to Ghana News Agency, the health levy is expected to help stock the school's infirmary with essential medicines. This initiative comes in response to concerns over a lack of drugs at the facility, which had made it difficult to treat infections and other minor ailments among the learners. During the meeting, Rev. Achana highlighted the unsafe physical environment of the school due to numerous potholes caused by erosion, which posed risks to the children, many of whom had sustained injuries from falling.
Rev. Achana appealed to parents, alumni, philanthropists, and other stakeholders to assist in leveling the compound to make the school environment safer and more accessible for the learners. She also advocated for the establishment of resource centers across the country to support children with special educational needs who struggle with mainstream academic work or vocational training.
The Headmistress pointed out that parental neglect exacerbates the challenges facing many learners, as some parents pay little attention to their children's health and general welfare even after enrolling them in school. She shared instances where she personally took some pupils to Bliss Eye Care for treatment of eye conditions that could have worsened their visual impairments if left unattended.
Rev. Achana also raised concerns about deviant behaviors among some students, including drug abuse and sexual promiscuity, which she partly attributed to unfettered access to mobile phones on campus. Some parents, however, blamed inadequate security checks at the school's entrance for allowing unscrupulous individuals to smuggle drugs and other prohibited items to learners.
During the meeting, Mr. Emmanuel Bawa, a parent, urged other parents to show greater commitment to their children's welfare, especially those with special needs. He lamented that some parents abandon their responsibilities after enrolling their children in special schools, leaving school authorities to bear most of their welfare needs. Mr. Bawa also suggested that school authorities insist that every learner reports to school with a valid National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card to minimize medical costs incurred by the school and ensure timely healthcare access.
The parents were optimistic that the revival of the PTA after over a decade of inactivity would strengthen collaboration between families and school authorities to improve the welfare, safety, and development of learners at the school. The PTA also elected executives to manage the association's affairs, with Mr. Emmanuel Bawa as Chairperson, Mrs. Rumeshetu Batong as Vice Chairperson, Mr. Frank Mwinbuobu as Secretary, and Mrs. Hamza Mariam as Treasurer.