Promoting Education; the story of Lotus Educational Center

The history of afterschool programs everywhere is based on the principle of service to children. Some children, during school time, are not able to understand some of the lessons presented in class and therefore need further clarification.

Furthermore, such children are not able to do the homework given to them. The Lotus Educational Centre is a Non-Governmental Organization which is a non-profit making Children’s Resource Centre. It was founded by Mrs. Tutu to support all children enhance their academic performance through quality afterschool programs and summer camps.

Cities are expanding rapidly. Parents go to work early in the morning and return very late in the evening. The supervision of children and the understanding and completion of children’s homework has become a challenge.

By launching the Centre, Mrs. Tutu was laying a foundation for afterschool programs in Ghana, particularly in the urban areas. There is a need for resource centres in all communities where children can go after school, spend quality time seeking assistance on the subjects they have challenges in, or do extra work in order to enhance their academic performance until parents pick them up in the evening when they have closed from work.

Studies in the US and the UK have shown that children who attend after school programs perform much better in school. These programs provide a safe environment for children to enhance their academic skills, as well as relax and enjoy nutritional snacks and sometimes dinner.

The Lotus Educational Centre (www.lecghana.org) supports children of all ages to become independent learners by giving them the tools they need to develop initiative, creativity, and social skills.

When children perform well academically, they build up their self-esteem and are confident to face the challenges of the modern world. The Lotus Resource Centre also prepares students for entrance exams to schools in Ghana and abroad. The Centre staff is helping to educate future leaders.

The Lotus is a flower and every child is a flower. Once given the needed support, the child will bloom like the lotus flower in daylight. The centre believes that every child should be educated not only in the classroom but informally for the child to realise his/her potential. Thus the acronym for Lotus is Learning Opportunities Transform Unique Students. The Centre has an after-school program, a reading program and a Summer Camp.

In the After School Program, the subjects offered are Maths, English, the Sciences i.e. Biology, Chemistry and Physics as well as Social studies i.e. History and Geography from age five to sixteen years.

Extension work on all subjects is administered to the children on completion of work brought from school. Once a topic is completed and understood by the child a test is administered to find out if the child grasped what was learnt. Additionally, children are provided with nutritional meals.

The Centre organises Summer Day Camps in July and August for children aged 6-16. The program is based on academics, recreation, life skills and educational trips.

The centre is open from Monday to Friday, 12.00 to 6.30pm and from 9.00 to 11.00am on Saturdays. On public holidays the centre opens from 9.00 to noon. The Reading Program for the Primary School is on Saturdays 9.00 to 10.00 a.m.