UPSA adopts La Nkwantanang M/A Basic Schools, outlines projects to improve teaching and learning

As part of activities to mark the 55th anniversary of the institution, the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has formally adopted the La Nkwantanang M/A Basic 7 & 8 Schools at Madina in Accra under its ‘Community Academic Project’ (CAP) initiative.

Under the CAP initiative, the University will stock the ICT lab of the school with modern computers and provide training for personnel to manage the facility.

The University will also build a canteen for the two schools and also provide them with reading and textbooks.

Additionally, it would organise Saturday classes for the pupils with its lecturers volunteering in teaching core subjects.

Making the announcements during the launch of the project on Monday, February 10, 2020, the Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, further revealed that his outfit will introduce a teacher awards scheme to motivate staff who go over and beyond the call of duty to contribute to the academic development of the pupils.

Explaining the motivation for the initiative, Prof Okoe Amartey said the gesture was to inspire the pupils, improve teaching and learning and motivate the teaching staff.

“We are here today to present ourselves as role models for you to know that it is possible to get to where we are now despite the challenges we faced as young students like you,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor said apart from becoming the leading business institution in the country, authorities of the University were also working to make it relevant in the community where it is situated.

In underscoring the importance of education to national development, Professor Amartey stressed that the attention society gives these pupils today will determine what they become in future.

He said “out of these children here today, we will have presidents, doctors, engineers, marketers, bankers, business moguls and above all teachers; so there is the need to pay serious attention to their academic developments.”

The Headmistress of the Basic School 8, Miss Paulina Kyeremanten, who was delighted about the kind gesture, described the move by the University as “unprecedented, thoughtful and welcoming.”

She added that the projects when completed will not only put smiles on the faces of the pupils but also go a long way to improve their academic performance and personal confidence.

The Head of Supervision and Monitoring at La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal Area, Mr Peter Ngala, who represented the Municipal Director of Education, observed that the visit by the University has served as great motivation for both the pupils and the teaching staff.

Mr Ngala said he was personally overwhelmed by the number of interventions the University has outlined to improve teaching and learning at the schools.

“The intervention of the university to provide us [with] computers to promote teaching and learning in the ICT is a step in the right direction and I am particularly thrilled,” he said.

He said the Assembly remains committed to partnering any institution or group of persons who wish to embark on similar projects for schools within the municipality.

“Our doors are always opened for new partnerships, and this relationship that it is beginning today [between UPSA and the schools] will travel a long way to support the children we are seeing here today.”

Meanwhile, the pupils could not hide their joy upon hearing what they described as ‘good news’ from the University authorities as they kept dancing and cheering during the launching of the projects.

Freeman Kwade