Achimota headmistress decries neglect by media

Mrs Charlotte Brew-Graves, Headmistress of Achimota Secondary School at the weekend condemned the media for their lackadaisical attitude towards the coverage of functions of the school.

She said: "I don't mind if the press fails to cover our functions, but I know they would one day realize the need to do so. Mrs Brew-Graves noted that though Ghana Television's (GTV) explained that it only covered anniversaries and not speech day's of schools, she saw the coverage of such activities of other school on GTV.

Mrs Brew-Graves was speaking to journalists after the end of the school's speech and prize-giving day on Saturday. She said despite official invitation to some TV stations in Accra, none of them turned up adding that only three press houses and GBC radio were present.

Mrs Brew-Graves also said there was no official from the Ghana Education Service (GES) to grace the occasion. She could not explain why Ms Lydia Osei, Deputy Director General of the GES, described as 'a friend of the school' who was invited as guest of

honour, failed to turn up.

Mrs Brew-Graves in her annual report said the school increased its intake of students for the vocational programme the past year. She said the student population of the school was 1555 with 1440 being boarders and 115 as day students.

Mrs Brew-Graves said the school required more classrooms, science laboratories, vehicle and its land was being encroachment upon. Ms Osei was mentioned as an old student of the school, and a member of the 1977-year group.

Professor Alex Kwapong, Chairman of the Council of State and also chairman of the school's board advised students to learn hard so that they could pass their examinations.

Prof. Ernest Yeboah, an associate professor of Geography at the Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA, who was the guest speaker, paid tribute to the school for ensuring excellent teaching and learning. He said the poor economic situation affected the provision of quality education in the country and appealed to the old students of Achimota School to maintain and expand educational facilities.

Prof. Yeboah said teachers found it difficult to enforce school regulations thereby affecting discipline and called on parents and other concerned people to assist government in promoting education.

He suggested the establishment of a professional development office for Old students of Achimota School, to be accountable to the School's board of Governors. According to Prof Yeaboah, such a body should be charged to contact old students and parents to contribute to the development of the school. Prizes were awarded to students, teaches and non-teaching staff, who distinguished themselves in their respective areas.