On Tuesday 12th September, 2017 at the West Africa Senior High School, the President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo launched the free senior high school education policy ushering the nation into an era where the age old creed of “education as a right not a privilege” assumes its true meaning.

Indeed, this has been the dream of the forebears of our republic; a Ghana where our children will not be denied the opportunity of senior high school education because of the inability of their parents to support them financially.

It is indeed a fact, that many young people since independence have been denied the opportunity of secondary education mainly due to financial constraints; hence it came as no surprise when Ghanaians all over the country received the news of the launch of this flagship policy with excitement. It was a dawn of a new era, an era that is not only bringing to our young people hope of a brighter future, a future with limitless and greater opportunities, but it also brings enormous financial relief to the overwhelming majority of parents who find it extremely hard to finance the education of their children.

If free education means one thing, then it is the fact that the era where pupils dropped out from school for financial reasons, or had their education cut short has become a thing of the past. It therefore came as no surprise that across the length and breadth of the country, the news of the launch was received in most instances amidst the display of joy and celebrations in our streets.

Free SHS like any pro-poor policy or any policy intervention for that matter has its own challenges. It is however unfortunate that today even problems with SHS three students, their classrooms and any other problems in our high schools are attributed to the Free SHS and pupils benefiting from the intervention.

So I want to ask, until the start of the Free SHS, were there no challenges in our schools already? Was it all rosy and glossy? Why is the NDC victimising students? Students whose only crime is that, they have chosen to go to school and their country has chosen to pay for it fully.

It is worth noting, that even before the implementation of the policy, the propaganda then, was that, government intended fidgeting and interfering with WAEC marking schemes so as many students would be affected and failed. This they claimed would affect enrolment causing a sharp reduction in enrolment figures so that government could fund the scheme for the few brilliant ones. It turned out cut-off points were lowered so every child could start SHS education. The effect – enrolment figures have been astounding, unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.

Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh

This deliberate propaganda still do exist, but they now appear in different forms and seem to be aided for whatever reason by some media houses. For whatever its worth, the forces against this policy seem unrelenting and even more belligerent in their endeavours. How has it become a crime to dedicate part of our resources towards ensuring every child receives free secondary education? Do we bastardise a policy because of some few problems. In lecture halls and auditoria in some of our universities, students stand to listen to lectures because of inadequate seats, others go to lab and only observe because of inadequate equipment and other essentials, you attend lectures and you don’t hear anything because the PA System is faulty. In our halls of residence, we have people we refer to as ‘perchers’, a room for 4 people end up accommodating 10. In my room back in Katanga at KNUST, there were about 12 of us, in a cubicle meant for 4 people originally designed for one or two persons. Back then, one would hear stories about rooms that have never been locked, obviously because of the enormously high number of occupants. Did we condemn our universities over this? Were these problems also because of Free SHS?

You remember what they call ‘the shit on shit’ phenomenon? We went through these conditions and today our lives have seen tremendous improvements. Some of us have risen to greater heights, achieved greater feats and doing greater things. One man here who used to be my ‘percher’ rose through the ranks of one of the biggest banks in the world headquartered in New York, managing assets of multinational oil companies worth several billions of dollars.

I remember back then at Anglican secondary school in Kumasi several years ago, students from other schools used to come in to use our labs and other facilities, this was years before the idea of Free SHS was conceived. I remember a senior high school that had a spill over of SSSCE candidates to other schools because they did not have enough facilities, some SHSs could not be approved WAEC centers because of inadequate infrastructure and facilities, this was aeons before Mr. President became a candidate for the first time.

Clearly, these were no challenges arising as a result of Free SHS; they are challenges that come with our educational system as a developing country which governments over time have tried to address. Should we have condemned high school education then because of these challenges? Where would we be today?

Today, our lecture halls, auditoria and theatres have received tremendous boosts, fully furnished, some with functioning central air conditioning systems. The conditions under which we study have improved. Most schools have moved beyond the blackboard-white chalk system to a healthier whiteboard-marker system. More dormitories have been built over time, more halls of residence and many other facilities to give our campuses a facelift and make them modern centres of learning. I remember the NPP’s model school system and the infrastructure it came with.

Why do I even have a feeling that hypocrisy is ingrained in our body-polity and there is a deliberate attempt by some people to destroy the opportunities created by the Free SHS? Even as I write this, pupils in basic schools still study under trees and other dilapidated structures. Did these start today? Were these the doing of the Free SHS policy? Must we deny those pupils the ability to read and write because they have no classrooms?

The problems of our education system did not start with the opportunity created for every child to receive free secondary education and it certainly won’t end here. And head teachers crying about problems in their schools as though those challenges haven’t persisted for years. Must we have shut down schools and stopped educating our children entirely because of challenges in our educational institutions?

Pupils studying under a tree, an existing problem before Free SHS.

Must we have denied our children university education because of the challenges with facilities and infrastructure? Where would we be today? Ask yourself, those days you used to stand in the lecture hall, should government have revoked your admission or denied you admission on the basis of that alone, where would you be today? Or are the problems and challenges with infrastructure and facilities at our universities and basic schools also as a result of Free SHS?

With all the conditions and challenges that confronted us on all fronts in the education sector then, on no occasion did we see this level of bastardization and antagonism against university education or SHS. Because? It makes no sense, and we couldn’t refuse to educate ourselves on the basis of infrastructure and some challenges alone. These problems are solved over time and no country can claim anywhere that its education sector has no challenges. Today, democrats and republicans in congress are fighting each other because of budget cuts. Betsy Devos is always hot because these cuts are going to affect less endowed schools in deprived communities. But, education doesn’t stop because of challenges. Because things get better over time.

Today, even problems with the grass on the pitch of a high school are attributed to Free SHS. Yes, government including all of us do admit that, Free SHS, just as any other policy intervention has challenges, but these policies also have their success stories. We have heard about those challenges and we are doing everything possible to address them.

I want to ask those media houses that constantly feel the need to highlight on the infrastructural challenges of our high school system ever since this novel policy was rolled out, who seem to have a strong penchant for reporting only on the negatives of the policy, and who have carved an unpopular enviable niche for themselves in this business, that, did all challenges with high school education start with Free SHS? In their daily rounds, do they not see any positives of the Free SHS policy? Can they not see that, it has given opportunities to several thousands of young people who hitherto would be loitering our streets?

Have they not met people whose lives have been changed by the policy? Why do they find it extremely difficult to report on the glaring life changing testimonies of those affected by the policy? Must we destroy the policy because of some challenges in its first year of implementation? Even in their media houses, do they not have challenges? Do they detonate bombs to destroy their stations because of some challenges? Why do I sense that feeling that they have connived with the NDC and some misguided school heads, using propaganda, subterfuge, sabotage to paint a rather dark picture of an unprecedented policy initiative?

I have earlier on highlighted the challenges and circumstances under which most of us received our education, yet here we are today. We stand here today as doctors, as lawyers, as engineers, as economists, as policy makers as nurses, as teachers all products of a not-so-rosy education system. All products of an education system fraught from its basic level to its highest with deeper problems.

At some point under Prof. Mills, lecturers went on strike for seven weeks, disrupting the semester and throwing the academic calendar off balance, yet here we stand today. Here we stand today as professionals beaming with pride and doing what we can to contribute to the socio-economic development of this dear country. We sat through those challenges yet, we are able to compete with our colleagues anywhere on earth in fields of study or profession. What if we had been condemned because we sat under trees to study in primary school? What if we had been refused admission or our schools demonized because of inadequate facilities? What if someone had denied us university education citing inadequate facilities?

But today here we stand. As headmasters, yes, the policy certainly severs an illegitimate source of income for us. So what? When the university placed a ban on the sale of handouts, yes I was affected, but it was the larger picture that mattered. Today I buy PDFs and I gladly share with my students on WhatsApp to support their research. Many of whom have gone to work with big oil companies contributing their quota to developing this country. What if I had decided to sabotage my own school and students? Then running around to the media to bemoan the falling standards in our education. Who’d be the beneficiary? To what end?

The Free SHS has challenges, but if we had set our priorities right from the onset, these problems would probably not be this common as we make it seem or be here with us in the first place. Free SHS has challenges but most of these challenges existed before the policy, and it stopped no one from receiving education. Our senior high schools have problems and most have existed with us before the implementation of this policy. Free SHS came with its own challenges but it doesn’t in any way warrant the campaign of negativity and bad publicity as championed by some media houses. Free SHS has its own challenges and these are problems government is working assiduously to ameliorate. If we can speak of the challenges of these few schools, creating the unfortunate impression as though those challenges only arose from the implementation of the policy and they are so rampant when they’re but just some isolated cases, why can’t we also write about those overwhelming majority of schools where the policy is running without a scintilla of challenges?

Free SHS may have its challenges but it is better it stays. If we cannot write a line to thank the president for this enormous intervention that will go down in history as the greatest thing we have gifted to ourselves by ourselves, then we have no business joining the bandwagon of doom mongers, purveyors of shenanigans, despicable chicanes and ill-wishers of the republic. If someone would even condemn this policy, must it even be the NDC? Those who have presided over us for half the period since independence yet cannot boast of a single policy beyond the stealing, naked thievery, CLS, and rape of our republic from all sides.

Today, the NDC is talking about policy document? What policy document did they need to pay Woyome and all the fraudulent judgement debts? What policy document did they use to implement the bus branding and the fraudulent schemes?

Thank you Mr. President, posterity never forgets and it certainly won’t forget this honourable gesture. Thank you Mr. Vice President, the education minister and everyone supporting to make this policy a success. Ghana is grateful, her future is even more grateful. And if there is anything that threatens the success of the Free SHS, then it is the NDC and its continuous existence.

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By: Mustapha Hameed
The author is a Lecturer in Petroleum Engineering (KNUST) and a 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow.

Goldman School of Public Policy – University of California, Berkeley

The post A moral case for Free Senior High School education [Article] appeared first on Ghana News.

The Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has downplayed law lecturer Dr. Raymond Atuguba’s proposal for the enactment of a law to safeguard the free Senior High School (SHS) programme from political interference.

The senior law lecturer at a public lecture noted that, the programme could be reversed by successive governments, hence the need for a law to protect it.

But Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia at the Tamale Senior High School’s (Tamasco) 23rd speech and prize-giving day, said the free SHS programme does not need any legal backing.

He explained the rationale for the introduction of the free SHS policy saying, “The beginning of government’s commitment to building human capacity for this country is the introduction in September this year the free senior high school policy across the country.”

“This policy has undoubtedly widened access to senior high school education and provided equal opportunities to all students in our efforts to provide access to quality education.”

The Vice President said government will sustain the programme at all cost.

“Government will continue to engage all stakeholders to address any challenges in implementing the free senior high school policy in a holistic and an all-inclusive manner. We remain committed in our conviction that we will overcome all the challenges and hurdles. We know that there are challenges that have been with furniture, beds and so on.”

Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia said government budgeted for 1.1 million cedis for the free SHS programme as captured in the 2018 financial statement.

He promised hard working teachers incentive packages including an affordable housing scheme.

Touching on the theme, “Secondary education in Northern Ghana: producing responsible citizens through discipline,” he bemoaned the widespread cases of students’ indiscipline across the country.

“In the 21st century today, it is no secret that indiscipline has become a serious problem in most senior high schools across the country. Indiscipline manifest in gangs, drugs, bullying of fellow students and often vandalism when students don’t get what they want. Tamasco cannot be exempted from this plague of indiscipline that seems to be spreading across high schools in the country.”

He challenged the students to serve as role models in school and in their localities.

“I encourage you all the students of this great school and all senior high school students across the country to be responsible citizens, upholding the highest standards of ethics and we should aspire to be major contributors to our national development.”

He further cautioned the students against cultural adulteration copied from social media.

As an old Tamascan, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia promised his alma mater a number of legacy projects to address the infrastructure deficit there.”

The head teacher of Tamasco, Suaib Wilberforce Adams, on behalf of his colleagues in the Northern Region commended government for the introduction of the free SHS programme.

He disclosed that Tamasco admitted 792 qualified beneficiaries of the free SHS programme for the 2017/18 academic year.

The head teacher listed overcrowding in dormitories, dilapidated structures, inadequate classroom blocks and poor lighting system on the school compound as some of the teething challenges.

He also mentioned robbery, rape, students’ use of mobile phones, encroachment on school land and recalcitrant motorists’ violation of traffic regulations as some of the disturbing phenomenon that needed immediate attention.

Suaib Wilberforce Adams implored all old students and philanthropists to support his administration in its quest to maintain Tamasco’s status.

Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service, Alhaji Mohammed Haroon, condemned some individuals’ attempt to own school properties including bungalows.

He vowed to retrieve those that have already been sold out and called for a stop to such practice. Alhaji Mohammed Haroon said all lands within the education ridge enclave should be secured for future development.

He extolled some prominent scholars of northern origin and admonished the youth to make education their major priority.

The acting Vice Chancellor of Tamale Technical University, Professor Abdulai Asuro Salifu, praised government for introducing the free SHS programme which in his estimation could bridge the yawning educational gap between the south and the north.

Professor Asuro Salifu emphasized the need for students’ discipline across board.

He mentioned Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former President John Dramani Mahama, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Issahaku Nashiru, incumbent Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Alhaji Rahim Gbedamoshi, Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini and Tolon- Naa Alhaji Yakubu Tali among others as some of Northern Ghana’s eminent personalities.

Some deserving students of the school received various awards for their outstanding performances.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Free SHS needs political will, not a law – Bawumia appeared first on Ghana News.

The Deputy Minister for Communications, Vincent Odotei Sowah, has assured that government is working tirelessly to ensure the successful implementation of the Free Senior High School programme, which is the biggest social intervention in many years.

There are several media reports of infrastructural challenges confronting the initial stages of the programme.

The Deputy Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for La Dade Kotopon constituency, maintained that government has channeled huge resources to ensure that the programme benefits the populace.

He said “as a broad policy, I think we can all applaud the government for ensuring that it honoured its commitment to transform our education system, and also ensure that we give each child the chance”

Speaking at a ceremony to donate furniture to Labone and St Thomas Aquinas Senior High Schools, Mr Odotei reiterated his commitment to ensuring that schools within his constituency are well-equipped to enhance academic work as well as the welfare of the students.

“Over the years, I have been supporting schools in the La Dade Kotopon constituency.  Today’s gesture to Labone SHS and Aquinas is all part of the assessment we’ve done across the constituency, and we’ve realized that the increased intake as a result of the free Senior High School programme, the desk will go a long way to provide comfort and ensure that students have a congenial atmosphere to study” he added.

He also debunked assertions that the program is bound to fail.

The Mp indicated that, he has initiated various interventions within the constituency to elevate the standards of education.

Some of these include, support to the best teacher award in the constituency, and baseline midterm exams to evaluate performance.

Aside the donation of dual desks to Labone and St Thomas Aquinas Senior High Schools, the MP also presented a state of the art multipurpose photocopier to the prisons headquarters to assist in their official duties.

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By: Anass S. Seidu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Free SHS won’t fail – Vincent Odotei appeared first on Ghana News.

President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, has responded to critics of the free Senior High School programme who have claimed that the programme is not sustainable.

While speaking at the 60th anniversary celebration of the Kumasi Academy on Saturday, Akufo-Addo assured his government will do everything possible to sustain the programme.

“I know, and I am sure I am not the only one who has heard, the people who are mounting political platforms, speaking on television and radio, and putting up posts on social media, hoping and praying for this policy to collapse.”

“We know those who have a record for scrapping pro-poor policies – nursing and teacher trainees will bear testimony. I wish to assure them that Free SHS will be sustained, that Free SHS is here to stay. The overwhelming majority of Ghanaians support the choice that I have made in implementing Free SHS,” he added.

SHS challenges will be addressed

On the teething challenges confronting the programme, the President acknowledged that such issues confront any new and bold initiative, adding that his “government has ordered thousands of mono-desks and bunk beds, as well as furniture for dining halls, staff rooms, computer labs and markers for classrooms.”

In commemoration of the Kumasi Academy’s 60^th Anniversary, the President announced that, through the Ministry of Education, there will be construction of a vocational centre, and the completion of the school’s Library and ICT Centre.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Loretta Timah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post We’ll sustain Free SHS programme – Akufo-Addo appeared first on Ghana News.

Old students (1997) year group of the Ghana Senior High School (Ghanasco) in Tamale, have refurbished the school’s library at the cost of Ghc42,000.

The refurbished modern library formed part of the old students’ agenda to help solve some of the school’s challenges.

The group’s Spokesperson and also the incumbent Member of Parliament for Tamale North Constituency, Alhaji Alhassan Suhuyini, said they offered the support after assessing the school’s needs.

He reassured the school’s management of further support to improve teaching and learning.

Alhaji Alhassan Suhuyini disclosed the group’s intention to further upgrade the library with Information Communication Technology tools by the end of 2018.

“We started as a social media platform just trying to reconnect after about 20 years of leaving school and through that social re-connection there was a suggestion by many of us that others embraced for us to identify a project that will go a long way to impact the growth of the school.”

“We selected a team to visit the school and to find out some of the challenges we could tackle so the team got back with a number of problems and we settled on the refurbishment of the library. It is one of many projects we have outlined.”

The school’s headmistress, Hajia Amina Musah thanked the group for the support.

She appealed to other year groups to emulate the 1997 year group’s shining example.

Hajia Amina Musah showed appreciation for the donation of three poly tanks by the Ashanti Regional branch of Old Ghanascans Association, as well as the refurbishment of the headmistress’ office and staff common room by the 1998 year group.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Suhuyini, other old Ghanascans refurbish school library appeared first on Ghana News.

Financial Analyst, Sydney Casely-Hayford has advised the Akufo-Addo government to issue a bond in a bid to support the free Senior High School programme.

Making the suggestion on Citi FM’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue on Saturday, Mr. Casely-Hayford said, the bond will enable government solve the teething challenges that have bedeviled the programme since its implementation.

The programme has since its inception recorded some setbacks in terms of infrastructure, a problem government says is working hard to address.

As part of the many other means of addressing the problem, the government announced the setting up of a fund to receive voluntary contributions from individuals to support the implementation of its flagship free SHS programme, and the education sector as a whole.

According to Casely-Hayford, the bond will create additional funding for the programme, apart from its “meager” budgetary allocation drawn from Ghana’s oil revenue.

The financial analyst said, if he were to be government, “What I will do is that, I will float a particular bond basically for developing education infrastructure and keep it completely separate from our annual budget funding amount which I will use to pay for my free SHS expenses.”

“I will use that for infrastructural development. At the end of the day, who buys the bond? They are investors from outside and you and me. We will buy the bond and we will give enough capital and that money will be paid to us over a longer period of time,” he explained.

What is a bond?

In finance, a bond is a fixed income investment in which an investor loans money to an entity (typically corporate or governmental) which borrows the funds for a defined period of time at a variable or fixed interest rate.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Issue bond to support free SHS programme – Casely-Hayford appeared first on Ghana News.

Schools in the Kumasi Metropolis and the Asokore Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region will be closed on Monday, December 4, 2017 to pave way for the commemoration of the final funeral rites of the late Asantemaa in the region.

This was announced by the Ashanti Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in a statement.

The final funeral rite of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampen II who died in December 2016 is being held between December 1 and December 11, 2017 in the Ashanti Region.

“We wish to inform residents in Kumasi Metro, Asokore Mampong Municipal and the general public that activities being held for the final funeral rites of the late queen mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem 11 demand that Basic schools within these areas be closed down on Monday 4th December 2017.”

“On Friday 8th December, 2017 schools will close at 12 noon to enable students to reach home on time. Day students in the Senior High schools are also to stay home within these two days,” the statement said.

Background

The late Asantehemaa, who was the mother of the current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, passed away in 2016 at age 109 and was succeeded by Nana Konadu Yiadom II, Asantehene’s elder sister.

Although her burial rites were performed in January 2017, her funeral rites are being held over a 2 week period in the Ashanti Region.

The Chairman of the funeral committee, Nsuase Opoku Agyeman, Otumfuo’s Akyeamhene in an earlier press briefing advised residents and traders in the Central Business District of Kumasi to close their shops on Monday and Tuesday, explaining that “there will be firing of musketry in the streets, the executioners will also be around to display, so as Nananom parade from Adum to Manhyia, we will advice that all shops be closed, no trotros or taxis should be seen working.”

He further announced that, “no one should be seen in the evening on Saturday. It should be observed just like the Thursday during the burial rites, because that evening, Nananom will take the Abusuakuruwa to Breman.”

Meanwhile, a ban has been placed on all funerals in the Region from the Friday 1st December to Monday 11th December.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kumasi schools to close down over late Asantemaa’s funeral rites appeared first on Ghana News.

Some parents are calling on the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana Health Service to collaborate in prioritizing public health issues at the Kumasi Academy (KUMACA), in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The call comes after another first-year-student of the School died on Saturday bringing the death toll recorded under similar circumstances to three within the week.

Fodjour Furgerson Livingstone, a General Arts student died at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), after he was initially admitted at the Tafo Government hospital when he complained of fever.

According to brother of the deceased, Fodjour Martins, the family is devastated over his brother’s death.

The recent death comes after the school climaxed its 60th Anniversary on Saturday.

A similar incident at the school early this year, sparked confusion after parents besieged the school to seek answers from authorities.

Citi News‘ checks at the school revealed that discussions about the ‘mysterious’ deaths took center stage when parents trooped to the school for visiting.

Parents were seen in small groups with their wards discussing the issue. Other parents used the visiting hours to pray with their wards, a situation that almost turned the campus into a prayer center.

Some of the students expressed their frustrations to Citi News said they are living in fear and were sad over such happenings.

The parents want the Ghana Health Service(GHS) and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to prioritize public health issues in the school.

One parent said “I am proposing that looking at the symptoms that the kids are experiencing, I will advise that the Sick Bay will be stocked by either the Ministry of Health or the Ghana Education Service with very strong Antibiotics which can be given to students immediately they start experiencing those symptoms .They shouldn’t wait for the condition to get worse”.

Another parent also appealed to authorities to intensify health screening at the school.

“The Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Health should at least try as much as they can to constantly be in this particular school to find out from both students and teachers to find out what is really happening in terms of sanitation and general health of the people once in a while, to ascertain their health status. If possible there could be screening, like setting aside a particular day for mandatory health screening that could help”.

The Ashanti Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has ruled out the closure of the school, and said a team of medical personnel will be deployed to the school on Monday to give medical advice to the students.

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By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kumasi Academy ‘mysterious’ deaths: Parents want public health prioritized appeared first on Ghana News.

Some students in the Kumasi Metropolis are displeased with the suspension of classes today [Monday], in line with activities put in place by the Manhyia Palace for the observation of the final funeral rites of the late Asante Queen Mother, Afia Kobe Ampem II.

Students reported to school this morning only to be told there will be no teaching and learning activity today and tomorrow. But the students say they were instructed to report to school.

Apparently, a communiqué from the Ghana Education Service (GES) announcing the closure of schools in the Kumasi Metropolis and Asokore Mampong Municipality didn’t get to the students on time.

Some students in the Kumasi Metropolis had to return to their homes after learning that there will be no teaching and learning activity today and tomorrow.

In the communiqué copied to citifmonline.com, the GES advised day students in the various Senior High Schools not to report to school on Monday, December 4, and Friday December 8, 2017.

This follows activities put in place by the Manhyia Palace for the observation of the final funeral rites of the late Asante Queen Mother.

“We wish to inform residents in Kumasi Metro, Asokore Mampong Municipal and the general public that activities being held for the final funeral rites of the late queen mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem 11, demand that Basic schools within these areas be closed down on Monday 4th December 2017.”

“On Friday 8th December, 2017, schools will closed at 12 noon to enable students to reach home on time. Day students in the Senior High schools are also to stay home within these two days,” the statement said.

Nananom of the Kumasi Traditional Council and the Otumfuo are expected to parade the streets in their smocks.

The final funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampen II, who died in December 2016, is being held between December 1 and December 11, 2017 in the Ashanti Region.

Background

The late Asantehemaa, who was the mother of the current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, passed away in 2016 at age 109, and was succeeded by Nana Konadu Yiadom II, Asantehene’s elder sister.

Although her burial rites were performed in January 2017, her funeral rites are being held over a 2-week period in the Ashanti Region.

The Chairman of the funeral committee, Nsuase Opoku Agyeman, Otumfuo’s Akyeamhene in an earlier press briefing, advised residents and traders in the Central Business District of Kumasi to close their shops on Monday and Tuesday, explaining that “there will be firing of musketry in the streets, the executioners will also be around to display, so as Nananom parade from Adum to Manhyia, we will advice that all shops be closed, no trotros or taxis should be seen working.”

He further announced that, “no one should be seen in the evening on Saturday. It should be observed just like the Thursday during the burial rites, because that evening, Nananom will take the Abusuakuruwa to Breman.”

Funerals banned

Meanwhile, a ban has been placed on all funerals in the region from the Friday 1st December to Monday 11th December.

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By: Loretta Timah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Students angry over schools’ closure for Asantehemaa’s funeral rites appeared first on Ghana News.

The family of a 17-year old student of the Kumasi Academy who died at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is accusing school authorities of negligence in the health of students in their care.

The bereaved family says the authorities failed to take proper care of students who fell sick, but rather concentrated on activities to mark the 60th-anniversary celebration of the school.

The death of Fodjour Furgerson Livingstone, a General Arts student, brings to seven the number of deaths recorded at the school in 2017.

He is believed to have died from meningitis.

The Brother of the deceased, Fodjour Martins, who spoke to Citi News, said he was “still very much devastated.”

“…Because of the anniversary, they will neglect all other activities to concentrate on their anniversary celebration. That has in the long run, caused the death of my brother. The school neglected them because my brother took a colleague to the hospital and the colleague died there, but the school didn’t bother to make a follow up as to the cause of the student’s death.”

“Now we are considering the funeral arrangement and after that, we shall see how best we can deal legally with the school. They will meet my wrath. I will do my best. That one, definitely, I can assure you,” he stated.

Meanwhile, officials of the Ghana Health Service in the Asokore Mampong Municipality and the Regional level, are locked up in separate meetings over the issue.

Citi News‘ checks at the school also indicate that, some medical personnel have been dispatched to the school in a bid to allay fears of students.

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By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kumasi Academy deaths: Family of deceased threatens suit appeared first on Ghana News.

Students of the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS), want school’s authorities and the Upper West regional security council to urgently find a lasting solution to the increasing cases of armed robbery and other criminal attacks on students, else they will hold series of demonstrations.

This follows reports of over eight separate robbery incidents on students of the institution within the past one week by some some unknown armed men, who have been terrorizing students over the years.

Mohammed Jaraa, President of the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the UDS Wa campus in an interview with Citi News said, “most of the victims received cutlass and gun wounds, whilst some female students were raped” after loosing their belongings such as money, laptops and other valuables to the perpetrators.

The SRC President disclosed that several attempts by the student leadership of the university to find a solution with their authorities have yielded no results as more cases are being recorded.

“As we speak, a lot of students are on admission at the Upper West regional hospital in Wa, and there seems to be no solution” Jaraa explained.

He added that the situation is seriously impacting negatively on students as “most of them now find it difficult to commute from Bamahu and the Wa township to the school’s campus for studies”.

He further stated that students who reside on the campus also can no longer move at night for fear of being attacked.

The students have therefore given the Upper west regional security council and the leadership of the UDS a 3- day ultimatum to find a lasting solution to the security challenges confronting the university, or they will be compelled to embark on series of demonstrations to press home their demand.

Citi News checks at the Upper West Regional Police Command revealed that over 16 cases of stealing and robbery were reported from the UDS within the last one month.

The Upper West Regional Police Commander, DCOP Boapeah Okyere, in an interview with Citi News said his attention has been drawn to the security situation at the university, but blamed the situation on some miscreants among the students.

“As an institution, we are not reneging on our mandate of ensuring peace within the municipality. But situation at the university is caused by the students themselves”.

He said a 24-hour police patrol has been mounted at the university to maintain law and order.

Citi News can report that a final year student of the UDS, Suleman Shafiu, is in the grips of the police for stealing a laptop from his colleague.

Meanwhile, attempts by Citi News to get authorities of the school to comment on the security challenges confronting the university were unsuccessful.

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By: Mahama Latif/citifmonline.com/Ghana.

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Siemens Ghana, a subsidiary of global engineering giant Siemens, has entered into an agreement with Sekondi College (SEKCO), in the Western Region, to support the school with science and computer infrastructure.

The agreement was signed by the Country Manager of Siemens Ghana, Edmund Acheampong and the Headmaster of Sekondi College,  Francis Rexford Sam.

“We began discussions earlier in February when we expressed our interest to support Sekondi College. I am glad we have signed the agreement today to fulfill that promise. It is important to us at Siemens to stand by our word,” Mr. Acheampong said.

Under the agreement, Siemens will focus on three key areas: donation of science experiment kits, renovation and refurbishment of ICT laboratory including the supply of computers for students from SHS1 to SHS3.

Mr. Acheampong said Siemens was happy to partner with the School because of the priority given to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, particularly the enrolment of more female students into these programmes.

“Supporting STEM education sits with our Grow Africa strategy where we are actively driving Africa’s technology and skills revolution through capacity building, long-term skills and knowledge transfer,” he said.

“Siemens is careful to leave lasting footprints wherever we do business by investing in the communities that support our business. We believe that investing in the education of these students in this community will empower them at the individual level and also to participate in industry using skills that they acquire from school,” he said.

Mr. Acheampong said teachers from Sekondi College would undertake a training course as part of Siemens’ localization programme to give the teachers a holistic view of technology for the future in order to effectively pass it on to students and the next generation of science and engineering enthusiasts.

The support package also comes with opportunities for an Exchange Programme between students of Sekondi College (SEKCO) and other partner schools in South Africa.

“This training scheme is to help expose the students to learn and embrace other cultures,” Mr. Acheampong added.

Mr. Acheampong expressed the hope that the relationship with Sekondi College would be a long-term one, noting that “The signing of this agreement is the beginning of a strong relationship we hope will endure. We look forward to a potentially rewarding relationship that will not only benefit the students and staff of Sekondi College, but also the Sekondi community, and contribute to the prosperity of Ghana as a whole”.

He urged the management and students to ensure that the science experimental kits and the ICT laboratory were maintained always and in good condition.

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Source: GNA

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Another student of Kumasi Academy (KUMACA), has died on Tuesday morning.

This brings to 8, the number of student health-related deaths reported at the school since the beginning of 2017.

Just last Saturday, a first-year General Arts student of the School, Fodjour Furgerson Livingstone, died at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), after he was initially admitted at the Tafo Government hospital when he complained of fever.

The family of the 17-year old student has accused school authorities of negligence. The bereaved family says the authorities failed to take proper care of students who fell sick, but rather concentrated on activities to mark the 60th-anniversary celebration of the school.

According to the family, the deceased contracted the disease when he voluntarily took a colleague with a suspected case of meningitis to the hospital. He is believed to have died from meningitis, although the Municipal Chief Executive of Asokore Mampong, Alhaji Alidu Seidu, has told Citi News that the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research will present a report on the cause of deaths on Wednesday.

Four students died earlier this year, whilst three died just last week, prompting parents to raise concern about the safety of their wards in the school.

Citi News’ Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Hafiz Tijani, reported on Tuesday that, some parents had started reporting to the school, insisting they want to take their wards home over the ‘mysterious’ deaths.

The deceased, Clementina Konadu, a form two Science student, died on Tuesday dawn at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) hospital, where dozens of other students are on admission.

Police officers have been deployed to the Kumasi Academy to maintain order after parents trooped to the school to pick up their wards.

The angry parents were initially prevented from entering the school after the school’s security blocked the main entrance.

Some of the parents who forced their way through the school have successfully taken away their wards. The atmosphere at the school is tense, as more parents are trooping the school.

More students admitted at KNUST Hospital

Citi News has gathered that, 6 students have so far been discharged from the KNUST hospital, while 18 others are still on admission.

A/Region: Minister holds emergency meeting over KUMACA deaths

Meanwhile, a meeting between the Ashanti Regional Minister and health officials, as well as officials from the Ghana Education Service, is currently underway.

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By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Angry parents besiege Kumasi Academy as another student dies appeared first on Ghana News.

The Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) in the Ashanti Region, will be closed down latest by Friday, December 8, following the multiple cases of ‘mysterious’ health-related deaths in the school over the past week.

Before the closure happens, the Ashanti Regional, Minister Simon Osei Mensah, told Citi News the students and staff of the school would have to be screened to make sure that none of them has an ailment that is infectious.

On the screening and treatment, the Minister said “we will give doses to all the students, teaching staff and non-teaching staff. I am told it is going to be a three-day exercise.”

Mr. Osei Mensah explained that, the screening was necessary to minimize the risk posed by the supposed ‘mysterious’ illness.

“Immediately after the exercise, we will close down the school and ask all the students to go home. The reason why we don’t want to close the school now is that, we don’t want a situation whereby if the disease is infectious and some students have already got the infection, they are going to infect their whole family with it. That will be a serious risk” he said.

Six students have so far been discharged from the KNUST hospital, while 18 others are still on admission.

Four students died earlier in 2017, whilst three died just last week. Another died on Tuesday morning, prompting parents to raise concerns about the safety of their wards in the school.

The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research is expected to present a report on the cause of deaths on Wednesday. The deaths have so far been suspected to be meningitis-related.

The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has also been summoned to Parliament over the death of students.

Some of the parents stormed the school on Tuesday morning and took their wards home despite the fact that they are about to start examinations next week.

Later on Tuesday, some parents were seen running about on the school premises in search of their wards.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, was addressing the school following a meeting with the Regional Security Council on the health crisis, when two female students of the school collapsed sparking the action from some parents.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kumasi Academy to close down over ‘mysterious’ student deaths appeared first on Ghana News.

Some National Service Personnel have petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), over the mandatory insurance package introduced for them by the National Service Secretariat.

According to them, the imposition of the insurance package infringes on their basic human rights since the decisions taken by the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA), does not bind all service personnel.

The petitioners, from all ten regions of the country, who described the arrangement as “fraudulent extortion couched under a purported insurance policy”, are urging CHRAJ to direct the NSS to “halt the implementation of this policy until the substantive matter before the commission is determined in order to avert any irreparable damage that may arise as a result of the implementation of this policy.”

In the petition, they said they were not privy to the terms and conditions of the insurance contract that has been entered into on their behalf by the previous NASPA executives, adding that “the compulsion with regards to the deduction infringes on our freedom as enshrined in Article 21 clause (e) of the constitution of Ghana, because no law imposes an association on citizens in a complete absence of their freewill, and for that being a National service person is not and cannot be an automatic definition of being a member of National service Personnel Association in whose name we are told this fraudulent policy emanated from, and under implementation by GLICO and NSS respectively.”

The petitioners also accused the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme, Mustapha Ussif, of abusing his power as the leader of the scheme to impose the decision on them.

Read their full petition below:

TO: THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE

THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA

Dear Sir,

A PETITION UNDER ARTICLE 218: CLAUSES (A) AND (C) OF THE 1992 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA.

We the undersigned are citizens of Ghana and are currently undergoing our mandatory National services as enshrined in the National Service Act1980 (ACT 426) of Ghana. It is in the collective interest of the Republic of Ghana that is why we have taken it upon ourselves to officially drag National service secretariat before the commission for investigation into the following

1. A breach and violation of our fundamental human right as enshrined in Article 21 clause (e) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana
2. Abuse of power and unfair treatment by the National service secretariat against us National service Personnel.

The above which is a joint looting agreement that has been entered on our behalf without our consent as service personnel between GLICO, an insurance company and the National service secretariat for monthly deduction of GHC 15 from our allowance towards an insurance policy that is seeking to bind each and every National Service person paid by the National service secretariat of which our consent has not been sought by those behind the implementation of this fraudulent policy.

On the 29th November, 2017, the National service boss in a communiqué instructed all Regional NSS directors to ensure the deduction of GH ¢15 each from the allowance of Personnel starting from November. The evidence of this is contained in the archives of Citifmonline.com on 29th of November, 2017. This decision as we are told is for the welfare and benefit of every National Service person but as we speak, our colleagues whose allowances are not paid by NSS have been exempted from this policy. We are therefore of the firm belief that, this policy is discriminatory and has no legal backing to that effect aside how dubious and fraudulent it is with clear intentions to milk the ordinary Service Persons in such a criminal manner. This policy is tainted with fraud and the paragraph below is our stands.

1. This was not stated in our appointment letters which gave birth to our legitimate service that we are currently undergoing with legal backing emanated from the National Service Scheme Act neither were we communicated to by any other formal means.
2. That, we are not privy to the terms and conditions of this contract that has been entered on our behalf by NSS without our consent or mandate.

III.           That, the mandatory deduction from the allowance is not grounded in law

1. That, the compulsion with regards to the deduction infringes on our freedom as enshrined in Article 21 clause (e) of the constitution of Ghana because no law imposes association on citizens in a complete absence of their free will and for that being a National service person is not and cannot be an automatic definition of being a member of National service Personnel Association in whose name we are told this fraudulent policy emanated from and under implementation by GLICO and NSS respectively.
2. That, the said policy undermines the letter and spirit of “freedom to join associations” as stated in an explicit provision of Article 21 clause (e) of the highest law of the land.
3. It is also our contention that, since this is not grounded in any law, such a move by NSS constitute an abuse of office by those whose names have been mentioned in this petition as managers of NSS and hence ought to be struck out.

The above bulletins are reasons why we vehemently object to this by the National service secretariat. We are verily aware and believe same to be true that, the Commission on Human Right and Administrative Justice will look into this criminal conduct by managers of the National service scheme hereinafter Mr. Mustapha Ussif and Mr. Henry Nana Boakye. It is also our prayer that, the National service secretariat will be directed to halt the implementation of this policy until the substantive matter before the commission is determined in order to avert any irreparable damage that may arise as a result of the implementation of this policy.

Thank You

Service personnel agreed to ‘compulsory’ insurance – NSS Boss

The National Service Scheme’s head, Mustapha Ussif, has denied suggestions that the compulsory insurance package meant for all service personnel in the country is being imposed on the personnel.

He insisted that the personnel backed the insurance package, and even pushed the management of the Scheme to implement it. He said the National Service Personnel Association of Ghana (NASPA), the group which represents service personnel across the country, decided unanimously at their Congress to back the policy.

Some Service Personnel oppose insurance package

Some National Service personnel have opposed the policy, calling for it to be made optional, whereas others have called for it to be scrapped.

The insurance package

The NSS partnered with MTN and Glico Life Insurance, earlier this week, to launch the life insurance cover for the over 90,000 personnel.

This compulsory insurance package spearheaded by various insurance companies is expected to pay claims to service personnel who get involved in accidents in their line of duty.

The claims vary from GHc 15,000 in cases of death or incapacitation and GHS3,000 for cases of disability. As part of the insurance package, National Service personnel are entitled to a GHc 500 loan which is payable within six months.

NSS insurance meant to reward NPP financier – Kpessah Whyte

A former Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Dr. Michael Kpessah-Whyte, had alleged that the compulsory insurance package is a venture to pay back a financier of the governing New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) election campaign.

According to him, the insurance scheme may have been put together to reward the owner of a known insurance company, who supported the NPP’s campaign with GH¢1 million.
He is thus of the view that the policy is not in the interest of National Service persons, and that it constitutes “daylight robbery.”

NSS insurance scheme not a reward from NPP – GLICO

However, GLICO Life has denied allegations that its engagement with the NSS to provide an insurance package for National Service personnel, is a reward for the company because the owner was a financier of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The Managing Director of GLICO Life, Forkuo Kyei, in a statement to citifmonline.com said the allegations are unfounded as GLICO Life is part of five other companies offering the insurance package to the service personnel.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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There was panic at the Kumasi Academy on Tuesday, as parents were seen forcibly taking away their wards from the school in the wake of mysterious deaths, involving eight students in 2017.

Four students died earlier in 2017, whilst four have died within the last week, with the latest being today [Tuesday].

Police personnel were dispatched to the school to maintain law and order following earlier agitations from parents.

Some parents sprinting in search of their wards

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, was addressing the school following a meeting with the Regional Security Council on the health crisis.

As he was speaking, two female students of the school collapsed sparking the panic from some parents trying to secure their wards.

A collpased student at Kumasi Academy

Some students were also seen trying to leave the school’s premises.

Six students have so far been discharged from the KNUST hospital, while 18 others are still on admission.

Indications are that the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research will present a report on the cause of deaths on Wednesday.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, has since told Citi News the Kumasi Academy will be closed down on Friday after students, staff and non-teaching are screened.

This was a decision taken after a meeting with the Regional health directorate and the school’s PTA.

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By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Management and staff of Opportunity International Savings and Loans (OISL) organised a 5 kilometer health walk and spent the rest of the day with students and staff of Akropong School for the Blind to celebrate the International Day for Persons with Disability.

According to the Deputy CEO, Mr. Samuel Afful, the aim of observing this day is to increase awareness and understanding of disability issues and offer staff of OISL the opportunity to interact with Persons with Disability (PWDs).

Mr. Afful expressed his admiration for the discipline exhibited by the students and lauded the efforts of the teachers and mentors for their selfless service. He also assured the school that Opportunity International will continue to support persons with disability in diverse ways as has been done over the years.

To mark the day, OISL repainted three blocks of the school and donated food items totaling GHS30, 000 as part of its corporate social responsibility.

The Assistant Headmaster, Mr. Atsu Homadzi on receiving the donation on behalf of the school expressed appreciation to OISL for the show of love and concern for the welfare of the students. He reiterated that, ‘disability is not inability’ as boldly inscribed on the wall of the assembly hall.

Rather, PWDs require empathy but not sympathy such that they should not be pitied but be provided with opportunities to enable them overcome their disabilities and become responsible citizens. Mr. Homadzi appealed to other benevolent organizations for support.

Reverend Afum Baah, the School Chaplain was also full of praise for the prompt response of OISL to his appeal for a facelift of the school building.

Opportunity International Savings and Loans is the only financial institution that has a dedicated product specifically tailored for people with disability. To date over 500 PWDs.

have benefited from the company’s concessional loan dubbed ‘empowerment loan’ across the country. Opportunity International has been in collaboration with the Ghana Federation for Disability Organizations over the past four years supporting them in diverse ways to enjoy meaningful lives.

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Source: Opportunity International

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Some parents have called for intensified prayers into recent deaths at the Kumasi Academy (KUMACA), as they suspect the happenings there could have spiritual implications.

The parents also want Watch Night Services to be organized in the school to seek God’s intervention as authorities work to find a lasting solution to the matter.

The officials however suspect a bacterial infection in the school.

Speaking to journalists, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang, said “we have done all the tests for meningitis. They are negative, so it shows that the condition is not meningitis.”

Some of the parents stormed the school on Tuesday morning and took their wards home despite the fact that they are about to start examinations next week.

The students and all staff and non-teaching staff, are also expected to be screened before the closure of the school on Friday, December 8.

Later on Tuesday, some parents were seen running about on the school premises in search of their wards.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, was addressing the school following a meeting with the Regional Security Council on the health crisis, when two female students collapsed sparking the action from some parents.

Some of the parents, who spoke to Citi News after a meeting with the Ashanti Regional Minister and other stakeholders, said the matter will require prayers since they believe it has spiritual connotations.

One of the parents said “It is true because it can be that physically it is not any disease, but it is spiritual. So if we are thinking about the disease, we should also think about the spiritual aspect too, so that we can organize prayers as Muslims and Christians so we can find a lasting solution to this problem.”

Another parent also said “I support what they are saying because since we don’t know the cause whether it is a disease or not, it could be a spiritual or anything, prayer is very good.”

Six students have so far been discharged from the KNUST hospital, while 18 others are still on admission.

Four students died earlier in 2017, whilst three died just last week. Another died on Tuesday morning, prompting parents to raise concerns about the safety of their wards in the school.

A medical team from the World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to partner personnel from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to administer antibiotics on students and teachers for three (3) days.

Meanwhile, the result of test conducted by the Noguchi Memorial Institute on the possible cause of the recent deaths is expected to day [Wednesday].
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By: Hafiz Tijani/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The post No fans in KUMACA dormitories; ventilation is poor – Minister appeared first on Ghana News.

The Education Minister, Dr. Mattew Opoku Prempeh, has engaged the management of the Al-Rayan International School located at East Legon, to solicit ideas and policy strategies to aid in Ghana’s quest to improve quality and identify better learning outcomes for public schools.

The sector minister indicated that, his visit to the school forms part of the plan to engage the private schools on ways to change the curricula, increase infrastructure and improve the quality of teachers.

“One of the things we want to do is the curricula review, and we hope that when we are done, the new curricula will give emphasis to what is necessary in our public education as compared to private schools to improve on life-long learning. We have started doing some, and others are undergoing change, and we hope the lessons learnt here can be applied elsewhere in the public schools in delivering effective learning outcomes,” he stated.

Dr. Mattew Opoku Prempeh also noted that, the visit aimed at getting closer to a well-functioning school that is safe and conducive to teaching and learning.

“So I was invited to come and have a feel of what they do here. It is the aspiration of every public school, and I hope that from what we’ve learnt here, will be incorporated in the public school system,” he stated.

Dr. Mattew Opoku Prempeh indicated that, there is still room for improvement in the public system through a collaboration with private schools.

“We looked at the environment, we talked about the teaching, students, curriculum, teacher training and it was illuminating to see them using the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge Programmes. There is no one true way in education and you can see students doing a lot of well integrated projects. They also go out into the community to explore and have a feel of how the things they learn translate in the community,” he posited.

The Minister was hosted by the School Management team including: Dr. Fatma Odaymat, the Director; Nouhad Kalmoni, Board Member, and Nazem Karroum of Samir Engineering, a member of the School Community.

The Director of Al-Rayan International School, Dr. Fatma Odaymat, said they were honoured to receive the Minister of Education who demonstrated his preparedness to bring total reform in the public school system.

According to her, ARIS personalizes learning for students from 46 nationalities with different levels of English abilities.

“We have very strong English programs for such students to fill up the gaps. We also have a very strong special educational needs department for kids with both physical and developmental needs. We are an all-inclusive school so we have students from different backgrounds and needs being mainstreamed in the same classroom,” the director stressed.

“We really recommend that programme and we are very happy to see that the Minister wanted to incorporate it into the public school system,” she intimated.

Dr. Fatma Odaymat noted that Ghana also needs to provide training for teachers to build their capacity on how to use the Jolly Phonics programme and other modern teaching and learning strategies.

According to her, the school has a strong collaboration with Samsung where they do a lot of IT integration to ensure that students become independent life-long learners. She said students are allowed to take full responsibility of their own learning to become active participants in the teaching and learning process and also in school’s decision making.

“At age 5, we are able to get kids to do active projects which reflect very much on everything they are learning, what they want to do and to change in the school, classroom and community,” Dr. Fatma intimated.

She indicated that knowledge and education has no sense or meaning if students are not able to utilize that knowledge for something fruitful in their lives and improve communities.

The School’S Director said they are looking forward to having a teacher training academy using their own teachers who are IB and Cambridge trained to support schools that need such support.

She added that they are seeking to develop a Center for Education Research which is geared towards informing policy changes and developing strong training programs that will help students to become ready for the fast-changing world.

“We cannot be doing what we did 20 years ago. Ghana is capable of raising the standards just as we do every day because we are a Ghanaian based school with teachers from Ghana and so the question is why not? Anybody can do it because if there is a will there is a way, and I can see that the Minister has the same mindset of trying to make education a life-long learning process that is more affordable, accessible and of high quality,” she posited.

Dr. Fatma Odaymat said they believe in the concept of cooperation and collaboration, as their students are thought how to work as a team.

She said they would thus want to see that replicated in the community between the ministry and the school.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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