Old Edubiase Methodist Basic School pupils abandon classes for farm work

Pupils at Old Edubiase Methodist Basic School in the Ashanti Region have reportedly abandoned their studies to engage in petty trading and farm work. The shift in activities follows a nationwide strike by pre-tertiary teachers, which has left classrooms across the district deserted. On October 8, many children were seen hawking goods or working on local farms instead of attending school, as teachers had previously instructed them to remain home until the industrial action concluded.

The disruption has sparked deep concern among final-year students who are currently preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). These pupils expressed disappointment over the halt in their academic progress, noting that the lack of instructional time could severely impact their performance in the upcoming national exams. Without the structure of the school day, many children have turned to labor to occupy their time, with some seen playing in the streets or assisting their parents with commercial tasks.

Parents in the Old Edubiase community have voiced frustration over the ongoing impasse between the government and teacher unions. While some families have utilized their children's help with agricultural labor, they emphasized that the prolonged closure of schools is detrimental to the children's future and may expose them to social vices. The community has made an urgent appeal to all stakeholders to resolve the strike and prioritize the return of students to the classroom.

Despite the clear impact on rural education, meetings between educational authorities and the striking unions have yet to yield a definitive resolution. The situation at Old Edubiase reflects a broader national challenge as the strike continues to disrupt the academic calendar. Stakeholders remain hopeful that a compromise will be reached soon to prevent further academic loss for the affected students.