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0 More than seven decades after its establishment in 1952, St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School continues to grapple with significant infrastructure challenges, as authorities intensify calls for urgent government intervention.
At the school’s 2026 Speech and Prize-Giving Day in Accra on Saturday, February 14, Headmaster Rev. Fr Dr George O. Appiah revealed that the institution lacks essential facilities, including a befitting assembly hall, a fully equipped sickbay, adequate classroom furniture, ceiling fans, a basketball court and other infrastructure.
According to him, the growth in student population over the years has not been matched by a corresponding expansion in facilities.
“Major school gatherings are often held under challenging conditions because we do not have a befitting assembly hall. It remains a pressing need for academic, religious and social activities,” he lamented.
He further described the absence of a sickbay and shortages of desks and cooling systems as daily hurdles affecting both teaching and learning.
“Some classrooms are overcrowded, and the limited number of fans affects students’ concentration. A conducive learning environment is critical if we are to achieve the best academic outcomes,” he added.
Students and teachers honoured at the ceremony echoed these concerns, noting that excessive heat and insufficient seating sometimes disrupt lessons.
School authorities are also pushing for the institution’s conversion into a boarding facility, citing the toll long commutes across Accra take on students’ punctuality and academic performance.
“Many students leave home very early and return late due to traffic. By the time they get home, they are exhausted and unable to study effectively,” the Headmaster explained.
The appeal has been directed to the Government and other stakeholders to support expansion and modernisation efforts ahead of the school’s 75th anniversary celebrations next year.
Member of Parliament for La Dade-Kotopon, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, who attended the event, donated 10 ceiling fans to ease conditions in the classrooms. She also pledged her support towards the construction of an assembly hall and committed to working with stakeholders to improve infrastructure and enhance the learning environment.
Management maintains that addressing the infrastructure deficit is critical to sustaining academic excellence and safeguarding student welfare.
