Navrongo Senior High School launches 50th anniversary

Navrongo (U/E), March 22, GNA - The Navrongo Senior High School (NAVASCO) has launched its 50th anniversary with a call on its past students to support the development of the school.

Launching the anniversary the District Chief Executive, Mr. Emmanuel Andema, said the celebration served as a reminder of the important role "this unique institution has played in the human resource development of not only northern Ghana but the country at large." Mr. Andema said even though the government and other donor agencies support the development of education especially in northern Ghana, the contribution of stakeholders would be very important. Mr. Andema appealed to the government and the community to collaborate meaningfully to assist the school.

The Acting Regional Director of Education, Mrs. Agnes Atagabey, appealed to stakeholders in education and the public to complement government efforts by assisting schools with teaching and learning materials. The Headmaster of the school, Mr. Patrick Tangonyire, said the school was established in 1960 with 67 students and now has 1,287 students. He said the school had 100 per cent pass in the 2009 West Africa Senior Secondary Examination and out of the 391 student presented, 221 qualified for tertiary education. A visitors' note book for the school signed by late President Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1960 after inaugurating the school was displayed. Dr. Nkrumah wrote in the book in October 26, 1960 "This school has a great future, I shall watch it progress with great interest."

Mr. Tangonyire said the school has many challenges and these include the absence of street lights, portable drinking water, dormitories, classrooms, staff bungalows and a dining hall.

He said the purpose of the jubilee celebration was to source funds to put up a library and an ICT centre and called on government and other stakeholders to donate generously towards project. The Member of Parliament for area, Mr. Joseph Kofi Addah, whose speech was read for him, said improved academic performance rested both with the students and teaching staff. He pledged to donate a set of brass band musical instruments, provide 100 street lights and foldable chairs to the school.