The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Oforikrom, Hon. Anwel Sadat Ahmed, has commissioned a refurbished three-unit classroom block at St. Benedict R.C. Basic School at Kotei, in a major boost to teaching and learning in the municipality.
The project, which was completed and handed over to the school on Tuesday, October 21, 2026, has transformed a previously dilapidated structure into a modern, safe and comfortable learning facility for pupils and teachers.
The commissioning ceremony, which brought together officials of the Oforikrom Municipal Assembly, education directorate, traditional authorities, teachers, pupils and parents, forms part of sustained efforts by the Assembly to improve educational infrastructure and address infrastructure deficits confronting basic schools in the Ashanti Region.
For years, pupils of St. Benedict R.C. Basic School studied in a deteriorating block that exposed them to discomfort, poor ventilation and disruption of academic work, especially during the rainy season. The refurbishment has now provided a complete facelift — with re-roofing, re-plastering, new flooring, doors and windows, painting, and improved classroom layout.
The new facility is expected to ease pressure on existing classroom accommodation, reduce overcrowding, and provide a more organised and child-friendly environment for effective teaching and learning.
Hon. Anwel Sadat Ahmed, speaking at the brief commissioning, emphasized that investing in basic education infrastructure remains a top priority of the Oforikrom Municipal Assembly, noting that quality education cannot be achieved without a conducive learning environment.
He stated that the Assembly is committed to identifying and rehabilitating deprived school blocks across the municipality to ensure no child learns under unsafe conditions.
“The transformation of this block underscores our belief that every child in Oforikrom deserves to learn in dignity. A safe and conducive classroom is not a luxury, it is essential to academic progress, teacher effectiveness and the overall development of our children,” the MCE noted.
He urged the management of the school, pupils and the Kotei community to take ownership of the facility and ensure its proper maintenance to guarantee long-term benefits.
A Boost For Teachers And Pupils
For the pupils, the refurbished block represents renewed hope for better academic performance and an enhanced school experience. For teachers, it provides a suitable working environment that will support lesson delivery, classroom control and effective use of instructional materials.
Educational experts have long maintained that the physical conditions under which children learn directly affect concentration, participation, retention and academic outcomes. The intervention at St. Benedict R.C. Basic School is therefore expected to significantly improve attendance, morale and performance.
Call For Collective Maintenance
While the refurbishment marks an important milestone, stakeholders at the event stressed that sustaining the gains will depend on collective responsibility.
School authorities, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), the School Management Committee (SMC) and the community were charged to institute a regular maintenance culture to protect the investment and prevent a return to the previous deplorable state.
The project also highlights the need for continued collaboration among the Municipal Assembly, Ghana Education Service, parents, teachers and development partners to prioritize basic school infrastructure, particularly in fast-growing communities like Kotei.
The commissioning of the St. Benedict R.C. Basic School classroom block adds to a number of ongoing interventions by the Oforikrom Municipal Assembly aimed at positioning education at the center of its development agenda and ensuring that children in the municipality learn in facilities that support their growth, confidence and academic aspirations.
