When School Is Far: The Long Walk to Education
By Kwame
Upper West Region, Ghana — Every weekday before dawn, 11-year-old Fuseini Wakil leaves his village barefoot, a frayed exercise book clutched in hand. His journey to school takes nearly an hour each way — through fields, across streams, and along dusty roads.
“My feet hurt sometimes,” he says softly. “But I want to learn so I don’t end up like the men in the village who just dig and farm.”
Across Ghana, thousands of children like Fuseini endure physically taxing and often dangerous treks just to access basic education. While policies on free and compulsory basic education exist on paper, the distance to school remains a stubborn barrier — especially in rural and underserved communities.
The Distance Dilemma
According to a 2022 report by the Ghana Education Service (GES), more than 20% of primary school children in rural regions travel over 5 kilometers to school daily. In many cases, there are no school buses, bicycles, or safe walkways.
“Some children walk up to 8 kilometers,” says Mr. William Akor, a teacher in the Savannah Region. “They arrive exhausted and late — and often skip classes during the rainy season.”
In hilly and remote communities, education becomes a test of endurance.
Education Interrupted
The physical journey isn’t the only challenge. When roads are washed away by floods or when a child falls sick, school is the first to be abandoned.
“In the rainy season, I stay home because the river gets too full,” Fuseini explains. “I missed three weeks last term.”
Teachers confirm that absenteeism spikes during harsh weather and farming seasons — affecting academic performance and national exam pass rates.
Girls Face More Risks
For girls, the long walks to school come with an added layer of danger — harassment, assault, or being lured into transactional relationships for transport money.
“Some girls are followed by motorbike riders who offer lifts,” says Madam Charity Boamah, a headteacher in the Northern Region. “It can lead to pregnancy, dropout, and early marriage.”
The lack of gender-sensitive infrastructure — such as separate toilets or sanitary facilities — also leads many girls to skip school during menstruation.
The Impact on Learning
Arriving at school hungry and exhausted affects concentration. “By mid-morning, most of my students are nodding off,” Mr. Akor says.
Some come without books, bags, or even pens — having lost or worn them out on the long trek. Others arrive late and miss morning lessons.
Despite these struggles, many rural students perform well when given adequate support — a testament to their resilience and determination.
Anecdotes of Determination
At a small village school in Nandom, 12-year-old Adjoa carries her shoes in a plastic bag to keep them clean during the muddy walk. “I wear them only when I get to school,” she says with a grin.
In Bunkpurugu, a headteacher recalls how one student built a raft from old plastic bottles to cross a flooded river to take his BECE exams.
“These children want to learn — they’re not lazy,” he emphasizes. “They just don’t have it easy.”
What’s Being Done?
The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), District Assemblies, and donor organizations have initiated school building projects closer to rural communities. But progress is slow.
The Capitation Grant has helped relieve school fees, but hasn’t addressed physical access. School Feeding Programs improve attendance where they operate — but aren’t available in all areas.
A few NGOs like World Vision and Camfed have distributed bicycles or provided scholarships. But demand far exceeds supply.
Teachers Struggle Too
It’s not just students — many rural teachers also walk or ride long distances. Some live in makeshift huts near schools during the week and return home on weekends.
“Posting teachers to remote areas is hard,” says a GES official. “Many decline or leave after one term.”
Bridging the Distance: What’s Needed
Education experts recommend:
- Strategically placed new schools in underserved areas
- Rural transportation schemes, like government bicycles or motorbike loans
- Teacher incentives such as housing, hardship allowances, or scholarships
- Safe walkways and footbridges in flood-prone areas
- Expanded school feeding programs to reduce dropout rates
“Access isn’t just about fees — it’s about geography,” says Dr. Bismark Aning of the Ghana National Education Coalition. “If a child can’t get to school, they can’t benefit from free education.”
Final Thought
For thousands of Ghanaian children, education starts with a walk — not a warm school bus or a lift in mum’s car. It begins with dusty roads, morning hunger, and aching feet.
But they keep walking — one painful, hopeful step at a time — toward a future they believe can be better.
And every step is a reminder: access to education must mean more than enrollment. It must mean proximity, safety, and dignity.