In an effort to improve student health and general wellbeing, Aburi Girls Senior High School (ABUGISS) has commenced a large-scale fumigation exercise covering all critical areas of campus.
The exercise, which was jointly undertaken by the Parents’ Association (PA) and the school management, is to forestall any incidents involving insects, bugs and reptiles, and covers areas such as dormitories, classrooms, dining halls, washrooms, offices, grassy lawns and drainage systems.
The exercise is also to address a media report of urinary tract infections (UTIs) among students, while the PA’s Health Committee is tasked to investigate the matter.
Speaking with the media, the PA Chairman, Engineer Kwasi Asamoah, emphasised the urgency and scope of the intervention.
“We had no choice but to act swiftly and decisively. While the situation was not widespread and we could not independently trace particularly the UTIs to conditions in the school, any health threat to our children must be treated with utmost urgency and seriousness, and thankfully the Headmistress was a key champion to this effort.
Engineer Kwasi Asamoah continued that, “this fumigation effort is seen as disaster risk reduction and a response intervention. It is part of our collaborative (management and PA) commitment to creating a safe and conducive environment for learning and growth.”
The Aburi Girls’ SHS PA Chairman further shared ongoing reforms within the PA to improve transparency, communication and accountability.
“We are not just reacting to issues. The PA is reforming how we operate, from enhancing fiduciary responsibility expected of us from contributing parents and academic outcomes to student wellbeing and our relationship with the school administration,” he noted.
To him, one of the strategic focuses of the PA was managing the nationwide transition from PA to PTA structures, as announced by His Excellency the President, which by extension will require deep collaboration and trust-building since many PA operations were run independently for years.
He reiterated the need to engage other top schools to benchmark best practices and ensure a smooth and effective transition.
The situation at ABUGISS is a reflection of a broader challenge faced by many boarding schools across the country, where the convergence of large student populations, limited sanitation infrastructure and changing environmental conditions often create breeding grounds for pests, infections, and other health concerns.
The proactive response by the ABUGISS PA serves as a model of responsible guardianship and collaborative problem-solving.
It underscores the urgent need for other schools and parent bodies nationwide to prioritise routine health and environmental interventions.
