In the aftermath of a devastating fire engulfed the boys’ dormitory at Simms Senior High School in the Ashanti region last Friday, a dire situation has unfolded, leaving many students stranded without their belongings.
Some students have been permitted to return home, while those who remain are compelled to use classrooms as makeshift sleeping quarters.
According to affected students who spoke to the media, their frustration is mounting, and they are appealing to the authorities to address the urgent accommodation issue.
They are also urging the government to resume the construction of a dormitory block project that has been abandoned for over a decade.
Background:
The fire incident on Friday severely damaged the boys’ dormitory at Simms Senior High School, resulting in the loss of student essentials such as trunks, beds, books, buckets, and clothing from four rooms. The first-year students primarily occupied the first floor, while the second-year students were housed on the ground floor.
While the prompt response by Ghana National Fire Service personnel contained the flames to the first floor, the compromised structure of the building poses a significant risk to students on the ground level.
As a result, students on the ground floor have been advised against using the area for safety reasons, utilizing it only for changing clothes and storing personal belongings. At night, they are compelled to sleep in classrooms after study hours, as the damaged building remains perilous.
Despite recent achievements in sports and academics, including winning the Ashanti region inter-school soccer competition and securing a bronze medal at the regional National Science and Maths Quiz, Simms Senior High School is grappling with infrastructure challenges.
Students, speaking anonymously, express concerns about the abandoned boys’ dormitory project initiated over a decade ago. They believe that completing this project would significantly alleviate their current accommodation predicament, eliminating the need for makeshift sleeping spaces in classrooms.
Additionally, stalled projects, including an assembly hall, further compound the infrastructure woes.
Under the looming uncertainty of their nightly arrangements, students find it challenging to concentrate on their studies. While investigations by the Ghana National Fire Service are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, fortunately, no casualties were reported.