Bonzo Kaku Senior High School clocks 30 years

The Bonzo Kaku Senior High School (BOKASS) in Awiebo, Ellembelle District of the Western Region, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a call to stakeholders to refocus attention on the school's development.

The celebration, themed "Three Decades of Quality Secondary Education In Underprivileged Schools: The BOKASS Story," brought together major stakeholders to reflect on achievements, challenges, and prospects for the future.

Speaking at a grand durbar to climax a week-long activity, the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, whose speech was read by the Director of Pre-Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education, Nana Baffour Awuah, extended warm appreciation to the Board of Governors, Management, and staff for supporting government efforts to ensure education accessibility to all young Ghanaians.

He reminded Ghanaians "not to fall into the trap of talking about our challenges alone but to appreciate what we have achieved as a nation."

Dr. Osei Adutwum emphasized that holistic education is the bedrock of the country's political and socio-economic development. He urged teachers to prepare learners to acquire skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values that address global challenges and promote innovation and entrepreneurship relevant to the fourth industrial revolution.

Since 2017, the government has initiated bold reforms to improve standards and equip learners with 21st-century skills rooted in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to accelerate socio-economic transformation.

"Government has started operationalizing some STEM schools such as Bosomtwe Girls STEM SHS. Other schools such as Diaso, Season, Akrodie, among others, will be operationalized soon," he said.

He noted that these state-of-the-art boarding schools situated in diverse communities will attract children from all parts of the country.

The Headmistress of the school, Madam Augustina Essel Cudjoe, expressed concern that the school's population had dwindled from 1000 plus to 868. She mentioned challenges such as staff accommodation, an official vehicle for the Headmistress, a fence wall, and renovation of the Boys' dormitory.

Madam Essel Cudjoe said despite the daunting challenges facing the school, there had been a turning point in the academic performances of students. She appealed to government, benevolent organizations, and alumni to come to the aid of the school.

The Western Regional Director of Education, Mrs. Felicia Agyeibea Okine, congratulated past and current Board of Governors, staff, and students for sterling achievements and good quality education delivery. She reminded teachers and stakeholders of their role in equipping students with 21st-century skills and urged students to leverage modern technology in education pursuit.

The District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, Kwasi Bonzoh, urged the community to get involved in school activities. He highlighted the benefits of the Free Senior High School policy and emphasized the government's focus on STEM and TVET education.

Management of the school awarded stakeholders for their meritorious services to the school.