SWESCO inaugurates new board of governors

Swedru Senior High School (SWESCO), the first educational trust school built in1959, by the first president of the Republic of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah has reconstituted a 13-member Board for the School.

The 13-member Board was inaugurated at a ceremony which took place at the assembly hall of the school on 14th August, 2013.

It was inaugurated by Mr. Nii Lante Cleland who is the Central Regional Director of Education.

The 13 member Board are; Mr. Bernard Joe Appeah, Chairman of the Board, Mr. Mohammed Assan the secretary and Mrs. Agnes L. Hawkson who is the Headmistress of Swedru Senior High School (SWESCO)

The rest are Mr. Ernest Andam Brown, Mr. Nii Lante Cleland, Mrs. Mary G. Asare Addo, and Mr. Kenneth Kojo Koranteng Baidoo.

Also are; Mr. Frank Danso Dankyi, Nana Odum Panin, Mr. Edward Osei Acheampong, Mr. Mordecai Duffu Yankson, Mrs. Dorothy A. Hayford and Mr. George Kwamena Arthur.

The headmistress of the school, Mrs. Agnes L. Hawkson expressed her gratitude to the Old Board Members for their massive support over the past years towards their many achievements. She also thanked the Agona East District Assembly for the unflinching support towards the development of the school.

Mr. Timothy E. Osam Duodu who represented the Chairman of the old Board, Professor Timothy Acquah –Hayford, said the chairman expresses his profound gratitude to all especially for the opportunity given him to serve for 6 years having worked with two different heads all the support he received from everyone which helped them to achieve what they achieved.

The chairman of the New Board, Mr. Bernard Joe Appeah who spoke on behalf of the New Board Members said they would take over from where the Old Board left off and because they do not have to fail, they would not fail.

He said the concept of board of governors is centered on the concept of policy of community participation in education of which the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service accept as an indispensable part of the process of quality education delivery.

He said the prominence of the board of Governors is to foster a harmonious relationship between the school whose activities cannot be divorced from the community in whose interest the school seeks to serve.

He however charged all selected representatives on the board to bring their experiences to bear in their new role which he believes would help to positively project the image of the school to the community and the nation.

Mr. Cleland then outlined some of the dos of a member of Board of Governors which if properly executed would augur well for the academic excellence of the school. On this, he entreated all members of the Board to be above reproach.

He advised that members should always think of what they can do individually and as a board to improve conditions in the school rather than to think of what the school can do for them. He said they should not wait till problems immerge in the school before they come to the school but rather pay regular visit to the school. He however noted to them that such visit should not be intended for witch-hunting purposes.

ON DISCIPLINE

Speaking on discipline, Mr. Nii Lante Cleland stated that academic excellence of the school depends on proper discipline.

He continued that indiscipline as well as student unrest in schools have reach levels that are not only disturbing but also threatens the very existence of society and that as they are now board members, it is binding upon them to help the school authorities to uphold discipline at all times to promote effective teaching and learning which eventually would lead to good WASSCE results.

He also brought to the attention of the Board on the “Code of Discipline for Senior High School” serve as a guide when handling discipline cases involving students.

Mr. Cleland stated that in a situation where a case calls for a dismissal of a student, the recommendation of the Board must be referred to the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service through the Regional Director of Education for the final approval while the affected student in the interim is placed on an indefinite suspension.

He however stressed on the role of the Parent-Teacher Association (P.T.A.) in the development of Education which also cannot be under-estimated and must not take for granted the interest of the Parent-Teacher Association (P.T.A.), especially in the area of levy of fees. This he said would help to erase the doubt towards the administration of the school and avoid the “we were not consulted syndrome”.

Mr. Cleland charged the members to be punctual whenever they are called for meeting. He also entreated them to employ fairness, firmness and volumes of patience to arrive at mature decisions that will help promote discipline and good governance of the school.

On this, Mr. Nii Lante Cleland declared the reconstituted Board of Governors of Swedru Senior High School (SWESCO) duly inaugurated.

CLOSING REMARKS

In his closing remarks, Nana Nyarko Eku, Omanhene of Agona Nyarkrom Traditional Council and also the Chairman for the occasion commended the old Board for their good work and entreated the new Board Members to sharpen their skills to help lead the school.

He advised the teachers to uphold the higher standards of teaching as well as control their teacher-student relationships in order to maintain respect between them and their students.

He told the students to respect their teachers and pay attention to what they are being taught in class. He continued that they are not only in school for academics but also values to shape their lives and to help Ghana.