Minister bemoans low standards of education
Mr Justice Samuel Adjei, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister on Saturday expressed dissatisfaction about the poor academic performance in the education sector.
He noted with regret that most students chose to engage in unproductive ventures to the neglect of their academic pursuits.
Mr Adjei was addressing teachers, students and other invited guests at the Odumase Senior High School during its 28th anniversary celebration and speech and prize-giving day at Odumase in the Sunyani West District.
The anniversary was on the theme, “Educating the Youth for Tomorrow.”
The Deputy Regional Minister said in the past, achieving academic excellence was the ultimate goal of most students who were very passionate about education, adding that the trend had changed in present times.
Mr Adjei appealed to all stakeholders in the education sector, and in particular teachers, to provide students with the necessary tuition and also closely monitor and supervise them to ensure that they make productive use of their time in school.
“In addition, positive rapport between teachers and students which engender effective and efficient teaching and learning ought to be encouraged,” he added.
Mr Adjei stated that other stakeholders including parents and School Management Committees had critical and complimentary roles to play to improve the performance of students.
He admonished students to take the opportunities at their disposal to develop themselves to become marketable in future and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Mr Adjei cautioned the students against sexual promiscuity, indecent dressing, drug abuse, alcoholism and bad morals which, he said, would ruin their future.
He appealed to parents to inculcate good behaviour and instill discipline in their children.
Professor Mrs Esi Awuah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) at Fiapre near Sunyani, stressed the need to incorporate skills development effectively in the education sector, adding that the future rested more on science students.
She said there was the urgent need for government to focus on the training and development of artisans by creating the required and needed avenues where practical talents of the youth could be unearthed and nurtured.
Prof Awuah asked mathematics and science teachers to make teaching and learning of the subjects more attractive and lively for students to develop interest in them.
Dr George Adjei-Henneh, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Education appealed to teachers to help stamp out all forms of examination malpractices in schools. He pleaded with them to show more commitment in their work as students looked to them as role models to build their lives.
Dr Adjei-Henneh commended the management of the Odumase SHS for the vigorous manner in which it pursued the infrastructural development in the school.
He appealed to students to take instructions from teachers and learn, saying it was the only way they could prepare themselves adequately for the future.
Mr John Akrong, Headmaster of the school said students’ performance had seen drastic improvement for some years now.
He said the school obtained 100 per cent grade in the last academic year and commended teachers for their hard work.
Mr Akrong appealed for funds to tar the roads in the school and to complete its 2000-capacity assembly hall.
He mentioned the lack of boys and girls’ dormitories, generator, inadequate classroom facilities and staff bungalows, computers and school buses as some of the immediate needs of the school.
Source: GNA