By Jeremiah Nutsugah
The Executive Director of Child Rights International, Bright Appiah, has attributed the recent cases of death in Ghana’s boarding schools to the lack of adequate Clinical Psychologists and Medical Doctors.
In an interview on the GTV’s Breakfast Show on July 29, 2024, Mr. Appiah stated that between 2021 and present, there have been more than 11 recorded deaths in Secondary Schools.
“With an average population of over a thousand students in each secondary school, it is expected that human behaviour will require specialised guidance and support. However, most secondary schools lack trained psychologists, properly trained nurses, and doctors to provide essential services for children,” Appiah noted.
“He expressed concern that in some schools, infirmaries are managed by students, who administer medication to their peers”.
Mr. Appiah urged parents to take notice of these issues, emphasising that it is unacceptable for children to die in school due to lack of proper care.
He also highlighted the need to examine the facilities in schools, describing the current school system as a ‘self-contained community’.
Here are several incidents, including:
– The death of a 15-year-old student at Aburi Girls Senior High School in February, who was allegedly denied medical attention by the school nurse.
– The death of a 19-year-old student at Akyem Swedru Senior High School, who was allegedly denied an exit by the housemaster despite complaining of ill health.
– The death of a student at St. Monica’s last year, who was sent to the hospital with what was reported as a headache.
The Child Rights Advocate’s concerns emphasise the need for improved healthcare and support services in Ghana’s boarding schools.
