Students and teachers of Ningo Senior High School (NINSEC) have raised serious concerns about what they describe as deteriorating welfare conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and alleged abuse of administrative authority under the leadership of the Headmistress, Bernice Rachel Cofie.
The concerns, which span sanitation, accommodation, sports development, staff welfare, and academic performance, have triggered calls for urgent intervention by the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and other oversight bodies to avert further decline in standards at the school.
Students of the school say access to basic facilities remains a major challenge. They disclosed that they were made to contribute over GHC 61,000 towards the provision of a toilet facility and also pay separately to purchase water for daily use.
With a student population of about 1,220, concerns were also raised about overcrowded dormitories, with students indicating that congestion persists despite repeated complaints to school authorities.
They further reported shortages of school uniforms and delays in resolving infrastructure needs presented to visiting officials earlier.
During a working visit to the school, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, was informed that construction of toilet facilities was among the school’s most urgent needs, and he promised to construct one for them. Students are now questioning what their contribution is being used for.
Students and teachers also complained that talent development in the school has been in drastic decline, especially in the area of sports, where NINSEC is noted to have been the hub for regional and national long-distance athletes and volleyball players. They further complained that coaches and teachers who accompany students to competitions receive no allowances, making it difficult to repeat such sacrificial offers without any motivation or recognition.
Students also alleged that participation in sporting competitions is often blocked on the grounds of “lack of funds,” forcing some athletes to pay their own transportation and feeding costs to compete. They also claimed that the Headmistress reduces contingent sizes to her preference instead of giving every child an equal chance as stipulated in the GES and sports directives.
In the recently ended GASSA Zone 6 Games competition held at ADASCO, Rachel Cofie reduced the contingent size to 30 instead of a total between 120 and 142, forcing the rest who wanted to represent the school to showcase their talents to pay 50 cedis for their own transportation while feeding on leftovers from ADASCO’s kitchen — a bizarre situation encountered by the students and accompanying staff.
Several teachers who spoke to GNA on condition of anonymity alleged patterns of victimisation, intimidation, and abuse of authority.
They claimed staff members who express dissenting views are removed from bungalows, served with query letters placed on their personal files, or forced to step down from positions without clear justification.
Teachers also alleged that:
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Staff meetings are held mainly to announce decisions rather than solicit opinions,
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Decisions are sometimes made during vacation meetings with a few teachers present,
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Query letters are allegedly used to “build dossiers” against staff,
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A “divide-and-rule” approach has fractured staff unity, and
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Professional Learning Communities (PLC) meetings are allegedly used as punishment tools.
Some teachers further complained about being made to pay for access to school land for farming and delays in obtaining certificates, testimonials, and transcripts for both current and former students, sometimes at what they described as high costs.
Teachers expressed deep concern about the school’s academic trajectory, stating that morale among staff has declined sharply.
They claimed that fear of victimisation has discouraged teachers from voluntarily organising extra classes, contributing to what they describe as a steady decline in WASSCE performance over the past three years.
According to them, the best overall pass rate recorded in recent years is estimated at four per cent (4%), with results reportedly worsening.
Some teachers disclosed that concerns have escalated beyond the school, including engagement with traditional leadership in Ningo. GNA is aware that the Ningo Paramount Chief has been briefed on aspects of the situation.
Students, teachers, and parents are now appealing to the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Education, and other regulatory bodies to institute an independent investigation into the administration of the school, restore trust among staff, and address welfare and infrastructure deficits.
Nene Osragbo Djangma XII, Paramount Chief for the Ningo Traditional Area, in an interview with the GNA, confirmed receiving complaints from the school and said a committee is being set up to deal with the issue, but he did not disclose details of the complaints.
When contacted by the Ghana News Agency for her response, Madam Bernice Rachel Cofie, the Headmistress of Ningo Senior High School, declined to speak on the issues raised, despite being informed of the allegations and their public interest importance.
GNA
