A once-revered institution, the Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School (GLISS), finds itself at a perilous crossroads. A sprawling slum, now sharing a boundary wall with the school, has unleashed a torrent of security and moral threats, jeopardizing the safety, well-being, and academic future of its students.
This alarming development, unaddressed despite urgent warnings, has ignited a desperate plea from school authorities and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) for immediate intervention.
For years, GLISS stood as a beacon of academic excellence and discipline. Now, that legacy is under siege. The adjacent slum, according to school officials, has become a hotbed of illicit activities, its dangers seeping into the learning environment.
Also Read: Minority blasts ‘Dumsor Levy’ as draconian and betrayal of public trust
“This development threatens to undo the efforts of teachers and parents alike. The slum is breeding activities that no child should be exposed to,” lamented Mr. Ahmed Khamis, a PTA member, at a recent media briefing.
The situation, described as “dire” by PTA members Mr. Abdul Raheem Muhammed and Mr. Khamis, stems from a tragic history of ignored warnings. School officials expressed profound frustration, revealing that their early alarms about the encroaching settlement were met with inaction.
“We raised red flags at the early stages, but our concerns were ignored. Today, the slum has grown in size and complexity—and the danger has grown with it,” they stated. This escalating threat has left staff and teachers gripped by fear for their safety, struggling to maintain focus amidst constant disturbances and a pervasive sense of insecurity. “How do you focus on teaching when you’re constantly looking over your shoulder?” authorities questioned.
Further compounding the crisis, attempts by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Regional Security Council to intervene have been met with staunch resistance and even threats from the squatters. “The squatters are acting with impunity. We cannot sit idly by while the school’s reputation, safety, and future are under threat,” Mr. Muhammed asserted.
With the situation at a “tipping point,” GLISS authorities are issuing an urgent call to action. They implore the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), National Security, and all relevant agencies to take swift and decisive measures to resolve this grave matter.
The growing unease has permeated the parent community, with many contemplating the difficult decision of withdrawing their children. “We enrolled our children here because we trusted this institution. But if the environment becomes unsafe, we will have no choice but to withdraw them,” one parent shared with the media.
Beyond the immediate safety concerns, school officials fear the long-term repercussions on academic performance and the institution’s public image. “No parent wants to associate their child with a school surrounded by criminal activity. It undermines everything we stand for,” they stressed.
The chorus of calls for the relocation of the squatters and the restoration of a safe, conducive learning environment is intensifying. Parents believe that with coordinated efforts, this escalating crisis can be averted before it consumes GLISS entirely.