The Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has donated a wheelchair and school bag to a physically challenged pupil of the Kwahin Krom M/A Basic School.
The wheelchair was meant to facility and enhances the smooth movement of the Class Four pupil, Ishmael Baidoo, who struggled to get to school daily due the condition of his old wheelchair.
Additionally, the Association has fully paid for more disability-friendly furniture to be made for Ishmael in order to give him much comfort during contact hours at school. During the presentation, the KEEA GNAT Chairperson, Mrs Patience Mansa Apeku, noted that the Association was touched by the plight of the boy during a visit to the school.
“It was noticed that young Ishmael was having a serious mobility challenge because his wheelchair could not move freely as it ought to be. Therefore, as part of our social responsibilities as teachers, we decided to assist him with a new wheelchair to replace the one he was using because it has outlived its usefulness,” she explained
Mrs Apeku further advised parents to see themselves as major stakeholders of education and be more committed to supporting their wards’ education at all levels for a brighter future.
The Headmaster of Kwahin Krom M/A Basic School, Mr Mathew Essel, stated that the absence of a functioning wheelchair, adversely, impeded ability of the boy during school hours.
“Sometimes, he preferred to sit on the bare floor because he could not use the mono or the dual desks that all the other students used because of his condition,” he said.
He, therefore, termed the gesture of KEEA Local GNAT as timely and one that would go along way to bring much comfort to the pupil and make him feel to be part of the class
He said: “I wish to thank GNAT, particularly the secretary who mooted this whole idea. We are overwhelmed by this gesture which is the first of it kind that I have witnessed since I became a teacher more than twenty years ago.”
On behalf of all the staff of the school, he promised that they would do everything possible to maintain both the desk and the wheelchair so that they can serve their intended purposes. The father of Ishmael Baidoo, Mr Kwesi Baidoo, expressed appreciation to GNAT for coming to the aide of his son and prayed to God to bless their generous hearts.
