General News of Saturday, 1 July 2017
Source: Graphic.com.gh
2017-07-01
Free SHS policy to roll out in September
THE Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Pre-Tertiary sector, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has announced that the government is determined to ensure that as it rolls out the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme in September this year, quality will not be sacrificed for quantity.
He said in line with that resolve, the government was collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure that major interventions and programmes such as the Secondary Education Improvement Project (SEIP), expansion of physical infrastructure, supply of textbooks on the core subjects to schools and improving teacher education were implemented.
“All these,” he said, “are geared towards improving the education sector of the economy.”
He said further that the government would continue to put in place practical interventions that were necessary and would motivate and impact the work of teachers and students.
He urged all stakeholders to contribute their quota to make the programme a success.
Dr Adutwum made the assertions at the 65th Speech And Prize-Giving day of the St Louis Senior High School (SHS) in Kumasi.
The event was on the theme: “Equipping the Girl-Child for Tomorrow’s Leadership: Giving Back to Society.” The occasion was attended by a large crowd of people from all walks of life.
Hardworking and deserving students and non-teaching staff of the school were awarded on the occasion for their diligence.
Ms Hayford Benedicta Adwoa, a 17-year-old science student, caused a stir when she took home seven out of the eight prizes at stake for final year students.
Commendation
Dr Adutwum commended the past and present management and staff of the school for their diverse roles in ensuring that the school grew from strength to strength.
He also commended the Asantehene and the Catholic Church for their support for the school.
An Obstetrician Gynaecologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Dr Ernest Kwadwo Puni Kwarko, said it was imperative that students were equipped with the right skills and attitudes that would prepare them to be independent after school.
He advocated the introduction of the study of entrepreneurship into the curriculum of senior high schools in order to make students better prepared to face the world without much difficulty.
He charged the students to desist from seeking counselling from their peers as they could be influenced wrongly to do bad things and encouraged them to consult professionals or experienced people rather who could guide them from making mistakes that could deflect their focus away from their books.
Headmistress
The Headmistress of the school, Mrs Theresah Addae Commeh, expressed her profound gratitude to the Manhyia Palace and the Catholic Church for their support to the school over the years.
She also commended the ‘92 year group for constructing a 600-bed dormitory for the school leading to reduced congestion in the dormitories.
Challenges
The headmistress stated that in spite of the numerous successes the school had achieved, it still faced challenges with accommodation for both staff and students.
The situation, she said, was affecting effective teaching and learning and called for support to ease the burden.
She mentioned that the school’s dining hall was inadequate for its population, so “the students take their meals in turns.”
She has appealed, therefore, to the government and other stakeholders to help address the situation as a matter of urgency.
