Second cycle schools in Volta region urged to recapture standards

Vui (V/R, March 25, GNA- Professor John Aheto, Lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Business (KNUST) has challenged Senior Secondary Schools in the region to work towards recapturing the high academic standards synonymous with the region. He cautioned that unless the falling academic standards in the region were halted the region's future would be bleak.

Professor Aheto noted that the Volta Region which chalked enviable standards in the Senior Secondary School examination in the past has its regional statistics dropping to about 52 percent five years ago, falling further to 44 percent currently better only than the three northern regions.

He was addressing the third annual Homecoming ceremony of the Tertiary Education Network of the Keta Business School old Students Association (TEN-KEPSOSA) at Vui in the Keta District over the weekend under the theme "Raising the standards of Ketabusco- a collective responsibility).

"I am currently liasing with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) on organizing a consultative meeting with heads of second cycle schools and stakeholders in the region to divulge a strategy to put education on track in the region," Professor Aheto said. The Professor who is also the chairman of the newly created Finance and Banking chair at the university said both teachers and students need a concerted approach to consolidate teaching and learning, the two core components of academic work.

He called for critical thinking based on intellectual curiosity and exploring viable alternatives by teachers and students. "Don't accept anything told you, but examine the assumption and make matters of yourself since you would be identified by what you are but not by where you are," he said.

He advised the students to avoid all negative practices and unprofitable past-times that would distract their attentions from their books.

Professor Aheto commended the staff and students of the school for the successes they have chalked so far, and reminded the students "to work harder since they are not in school to benefit any other but themselves".

He advised the old students to support the Board, and the community to help advance the cause of the school.

The headmaster, mr Augustine Akpakli, said the school established in 1939 has a total enrolment of 867 made up of 442 girls and 425 boys. He said the school scored 100 percent in the West Africa Schools Certificate Examination last year, and appealed to the authorities to put in place the needed infrastructure including staff bungalows for the school.

Mr Akpakli commended government over the resumption of work on the schools administration block and appealed to the old students to complete a headmaster's bungalow they were putting up. A number of people including a former Assistant Headmaster of the school old and current students received awards for hard work and academic excellence.