Director advises Board of schools to exhibit affection to students

Adeiso (E/R), April 28, GNA - Mrs. Ewura-Abena Ahwoi, Eastern Regional Director of Education, has advised Boards of Learning Institutions in the country to show love, care and affection to students, they should also help to address the needs and concerns of teachers.

In this way, the Boards would contribute their quota towards the enhancement of teaching and learning.

Mrs. Ewura-Abena Ahwoi gave the advice when she inaugurated a 15-member reconstituted Board of Governors of the Presbyterian Secondary School at Adeiso, in the West Akim District.

The Board, which shall hold office for a term not exceeding three academic years unless re-elected to do so, has Mr. Samuel R. Asiedu, a representative of the Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) as its Chairman, with Mr. Ebenezer Danso, Assistant Headmaster of the school as Secretary.

The Board also has a three-member Standing Committee, which will convene emergency meetings. They are Rev. S.H.O. Ofori of the Presbyterian Church, Nana Addo Yeboah II of the Traditional Council and Madam Emily Duker of the district assembly.

The Board shall control the general policy of the institution and ensure the good administration of the school's funds. It is also expected to ensure discipline among the staff and students. The school has 335 students, 19 permanent teaching staff and 13 non-teaching staff.

Mrs. Awura-Abena Ahwoi remanded them that they were joining the service at a time when a search was being made to find solutions to the numerous problems which faced Senior Secondary Schools in the country. The Regional Director stated two of such problems as the downward trend in the academic performance, and the spate of indiscipline in the schools.

"It is hoped, your rich experience would be brought to bear in the quest for a restoration of the lost glory, discipline and high levels of academic achievements in our schools", she added. In a welcome address, Mr. Stephen Boadu-Appiah, Headmaster of the school, said in 2001 the school presented 35 candidates to the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) and that 33 passed, representing 94.3 per cent

According to Mr. Boadi-Appiah, the 2003 results placed his school in the 34th position on the national rating, fifth in the Eastern Region and first in the West Akim District.

The Headmaster appealed to the VALCO Trust to assist the school with a bus, since the 11-year-old Isuzu pick-up could no longer cope with workload in the school.

He also appealed to the Ghana Education Service and the West Akim District Assembly to provide the school with a hostel and science laboratory, adding, "there is the need to properly acquire a land title for the school, to stop further encroachment, on our lands".