Kumasi, Nov.3, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend called on parents and other stakeholders of education to be vigilant to ensure that no child is deprived of education at any level for want of support or access to funds.
He expressed the need for the fine tuning of institutional sources and processes of funding education continually in order to address more effectively the challenges of quality, access and service conditions of education personnel.
Vice President Mahama was speaking at the 58th Speech and Prize Giving Day of Teaching of Islam (TI) Ahmadiyya Senior High School in Kumasi, on the theme: "Promoting Excellence In Discipline And Academic Performance In The Senior High School: The Role Of Stakeholders." He said the current educational reforms were meant to enhance capacity to deliver a skilled and competitive workforce that could drive the country to the cutting edge of modern Information, Communication Technology (ICT) led human development processes. Vice President Mahama expressed appreciation for the co-existence of Muslims and Christians in the Islamic academic institution, which he said was a common national trait that made Ghana unique. "We must continue to strengthen our resolve to live together as one people with common destiny and a strong believe in God, irrespective of how we choose to worship.
The school, founded in 1954 with seed money of 100 pounds from the late Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, could boast of past students who are prominent Christian leaders like the Rev. Dr. Sam Prempeh former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church and the current Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Frimpong Manso.
Vice President Mahama commended the school for not witnessing students' unrest which often leads to the destruction of lives and property during the 58 years of its existence. He also lauded the Ahmadiyya Mission for contributing to education, health and culture leading to the socio-economic development of the country. Vice President Mahama promised a bus in response to a number of requests made by the school. He asked the school authorities to select a project dear to their heart for immediate consideration by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND). Mr Yusif Kobena Agyare, Headmaster said the school had recorded consistent improvement in its academic performance, citing the 100 per cent results recorded in the 2006 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
"We have just received the 2007 WASSCE results and the general performance is good. In terms of percentage, the school recorded 99.83 per cent."
Mr Agyare appealed to the government and non-governmental organisations to help the school to complete a four-storey classroom block being constructed by the Parent-Teacher Association. He asked parents to take keen interest in the payment of the school fees of their children to ensure their proper upkeep and enhance effective teaching and learning.
Baffour Osei Tutu Amofah, Kronkohene of Kumasi who represented the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, expressed appreciation for the achievements of the school and pledged his continued support for the development of the school.
Master Ishaque Mahmoud, School Prefect, appealed to the Government to assist the school with boarding facilities, assembly hall and sports equipment.
