Old Edubiase Methodist Basic School pupils turn to agricultural labour

Pupils at the Old Edubiase Methodist Basic School in the Ashanti Region have vacated their classrooms to engage in petty trading and agricultural labour. This follows a nationwide strike by pre-tertiary teachers that has effectively halted academic activities across the country. On October 8, a visit to the school revealed empty classrooms, with students following directives from their teachers to remain at home until the industrial dispute is resolved.

The impact of the strike is visible throughout the community, where children who should be in school are instead seen hawking goods or working on farms. Parents have expressed growing frustration with the situation, noting that the lack of supervision leaves their children vulnerable to social vices. Some parents admitted that with schools closed, they have had little choice but to take their children to the fields to assist with farm work, despite the long-term risks to their education.

Final-year students preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are among the most affected and have voiced their anxieties regarding the disruption. These pupils expressed disappointment over the lost instructional time, which they fear will compromise their readiness for the upcoming national exams. The pupils and their families are urging both the government and the teacher unions to find common ground to prevent further damage to the academic calendar.

Although meetings between educational authorities and union leadership have been initiated, no agreement has been reached to call off the strike. The community at Old Edubiase is calling for an immediate resolution to ensure that students can return to a safe and structured learning environment. The ongoing impasse remains a significant concern for stakeholders who worry that a prolonged absence from the classroom will have lasting consequences for the students' development and future prospects.