The problem of poor infrastructure in schools in the rural areas continues to affect teaching and learning, as some school structures, in remote parts of the Volta Region, remain unattractive to both pupils and teachers.

The alarming situation is creating discomfort, amongst stakeholders in education in the region, particularly at Kporta in the Adaklu-Anyigbe District, where the Salvation Army Primary School is in a deplorable state.

Speaking, in an interview with The Chronicle at Kporta in the Zuipe Traditional Area, the headteacher of the Salvation Army Primary School, Mr. E.W Dzah, said the poor structures in the school did not only create an unfriendly environment for pupils, but also affected teaching and learning, due to the fact that the school has to be closed down anytime the weather shows signs of rain.

The headteacher continued that the situation had made it impossible for teachers to complete their syllabi, coupled with regular interference from parents, during class periods, as they normally ask permission for their children to accompany them to their farms.

Mr. Dzah explained that the attitude of the parents compelled the teachers to grant them permission, in order to maintain the good relations between the teachers and the community, as it was a habitual act for parents in the community, to enter classrooms during class hours and take their wards to the farm.

Another issue the headteacher raised, was that almost all the children in the school have no exercise books, and that after teaching, the pupils were incapable of doing simple class tests, and those who have the exercise books were normally absent from class.

Mr. Dzah pointed out that most of the children do not take breakfast before coming to school, adding that during class hours, such children ask permission to go home and eat, and do not come back to school.

The headteacher disclosed also, that due to the poor conditions in the school, teachers normally refuse postings to the school, noting that the school has six teachers instead of ten, who cater for a student population of 180.

He continued that almost all the teachers live outside the community, specifically at Ziope, before attending school at Kporta, due to accommodation and water problems.

Mr. Dzah attributed most of the problems confronting the pupils to the high poverty level among their parents, who could not provide the needed learning materials for them, let alone provide three square meals a day for them.

Mr. Dzah, therefore, appealed to the government to pay attention to schools in the rural areas, adding that the school feeding programme should also be introduced in the remote areas, as the pupils in such environments needed help, more than those in the towns and cities.

As a result, the Ho Asogli Leos, of the Ho Lions Club, has donated exercise books, pens and pencils to the school, as well as used clothing, as their contribution to promoting education of the children in that part of the region.

Presenting the items, the President of the Ho Asogli Leo Club, Mr. George Megbenu, said the gesture formed part of the Club's social responsibilities to support the needy in society.

He urged parents to see investment in the education of their children, as the best legacy they could leave for them, noting that education is the engine of growth in every community, and the level of development in an area would determine the educational standards of the people.

The Leos President also challenged the pupils to learn hard, in order to become responsible adults in future.

Mr. Megbenu announced that the Club would provide learning materials to the best, first to third, pupils every term, as a means of motivation to enable them study hard.

He also asked citizens of the area, living outside, to contribute positively to the development of the area, particularly in the areas of education, to ensure that the youth were well educated as a means of building a vibrant society.

The Volta Regional Director of the Salvation Army Schools, Mr. Richard Kudedzi, who received the items on behalf of the school, commended the Leos for the gesture and promised that the items would be put to good use, to enhance education in the school.

Mr. Kudedzi used the occasion to appeal to the government, to offer incentive packages to teachers in the rural areas, adding that teachers working under difficult conditions like those at Kporta, needed extra motivation.

Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) has constructed a three-unit classroom block with office and store, under its Rapid Response Initiative, with funding from the World Bank. As of now, the school authorities have started using the new classrooms - classes four to six - even though the new building has not been officially handed over to the school.