Appeal for Boarding Facility: Chemu SHS Highlights Need to Support Students

The Headmistress of Chemu Senior High School (SHS), Vicentia Kyere Anin-Agyei, has urgently called for the construction of a dedicated boarding facility to address pressing welfare concerns among students and to improve their academic outcomes. She made this appeal during a visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education to the school on April 28, 2025.

According to Mrs. Anin-Agyei, the absence of a suitable boarding facility has left many students, particularly females, facing difficult living conditions. She explained that without proper accommodation, some students are forced into risky living arrangements, with a number of female students turning to live with their boyfriends, a situation that has unfortunately led to cases of teenage pregnancy within the school.

“Due to the lack of a boarding facility, some of our students are forced to live with boyfriends or girlfriends around the school. This is not by choice, but rather the result of the circumstances they find themselves in,” she stated. “During the recent WASSCE, we had three of our students sitting for their exams while pregnant.”

Transportation Costs and Punctuality Issues

In addition to the lack of boarding facilities, daily commuting has also become a major challenge for many students at Chemu SHS, particularly those coming from distant areas like Afienya and Kasoa. Mrs. Anin-Agyei noted that transportation costs, ranging from GHS30 to GHS50 per day, are often unaffordable for many parents. As a result, students struggle to make it to school on time, affecting their attendance and punctuality.

“For many of our students, transportation costs are a significant burden. This has had a direct impact on their ability to attend school regularly, and it has become one of the major obstacles to ensuring their success,” she said. “During the WASSCE, this issue was particularly evident, as some students arrived as much as 30 to 45 minutes late to the examination center due to transport difficulties, especially on rainy days.”

She emphasized that the lack of timely transport causes students to miss valuable instructional time, and it also violates regulations set by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), which prohibits late arrivals after exams have started.

Urgency for Boarding Facilities to Enhance Academic Success

Given these challenges, Mrs. Anin-Agyei called for the establishment of a boarding facility at Chemu SHS to improve the overall welfare of students. She emphasized that such a facility would not only provide safe accommodation for students but also help to improve academic performance by reducing the stress associated with commuting and financial strain on families.

With a current enrollment of 1,769 students, the school is struggling to accommodate its growing population. Mrs. Anin-Agyei highlighted that Chemu SHS only has 33 classrooms, which is far below the 45 classrooms needed to effectively run a single-track academic system. The shortage of classrooms has forced the school to operate with temporary solutions, causing congestion and negatively impacting the learning environment.

She also pointed out that a six-unit classroom block project, funded by the GETFund and initiated in 2014, remains incomplete, exacerbating the infrastructure challenges the school faces.

Academic Achievements Despite Challenges

Despite these ongoing infrastructure and logistical issues, Mrs. Anin-Agyei proudly highlighted the school’s academic successes. Chemu SHS has consistently qualified for the National Science and Maths Quiz since 2021, and the school was named the best-performing secondary school in the Tema Metropolis in 2022.

Furthermore, the school has excelled in extracurricular activities, with students winning regional debating competitions, climate change challenges, and receiving national recognition through initiatives like the Justice’s Club, which was inaugurated by the Chief Justice in 2023.

Response from Parliamentary Committee

Joseph Kwame Kumah, the Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education and Member of Parliament for Kintampo North, expressed appreciation for the detailed insights provided by Mrs. Anin-Agyei. He acknowledged the significant challenges the school is facing and assured the headmistress and the school community that the committee would continue to advocate for better facilities and resources to support the school’s growth and success.