Unacceptable Tragedy: 17 Schoolchildren Drown in 4 Months, Eduwatch Demands Urgent Action

The recent deaths of 17 schoolchildren due to drowning in two districts within a span of four months have sparked outrage and concern among advocacy organization Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch). The organization has strongly condemned these incidents and deemed them unacceptable, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety measures to protect students in island communities.

In the Sene East District of the Bono East Region, eight pupils lost their lives tragically on January 25, 2023, in Atitagorme/Wayokope. More recently, on May 10, 2023, another nine children drowned in Fanaa, a suburb of Bortianor in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

Eduwatch has called upon the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection to take immediate action. They have urged the development of a comprehensive road map that includes providing life jackets for pupils and teachers in island communities, collaborating with local authorities to enforce health and safety compliance, and constructing schools in these underserved areas. Additionally, they have stressed the importance of parliamentary oversight to ensure accountability in addressing these issues.

According to community leaders, the lack of life jackets was a contributing factor in both incidents. Following a similar tragedy in Atitagorme/Wayokope earlier this year, where eight pupils lost their lives, Eduwatch had already called for the provision of life jackets and the establishment of schools in island communities. However, only 100 life jackets were supplied to that specific area, leaving other island communities vulnerable.

The recent incident in Fanaa further underscores the pressing need for immediate action. Nine schoolchildren, aged between one-and-a-half and 12, drowned when the canoe transporting them capsized in a canal. While eight bodies were recovered on the same day, the ninth was retrieved the following day.

These unfortunate events serve as a wake-up call to prioritize the safety of students in island communities. The government, education authorities, and relevant stakeholders must work together to ensure the implementation of effective safety measures, including the provision of life jackets and improved compliance with health and safety regulations.

For the most part, it is essential to protect the lives of these young learners and prevent future tragedies. By addressing these urgent concerns, we can safeguard the right to education and the well-being of all children in Ghana.