By Godfred A. Polkuu
Bolgatanga, Sept. 10, GNA – Reverend Mrs Rosemond Anaba, the Director of the Desert Pastures International School in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, says early childhood education is critical to management of the school.
She said early childhood education formed the educational foundation for children which management of the school regarded as significant and therefore paid critical attention to it.
She described her contribution to the education of children in the Region as a humbling assignment God had given to her and noted that “If I don’t do it well, it means it is going to affect their future.”
Reverend Mrs Anaba said this in a sideline interview with journalists after the Eastwood Anaba Ministries (EAM), a worldwide revival ministry, handed over a 16-unit Information Technology compliant pre-primary school block to management of the school.
She equated the education of children at the basic level to the growth of a tree, saying “It is like planting a tree, if the roots do not go down well, it affects even the structure and the kind of fruits it bears.
“And so, for us, it is a very serious assignment that we have on our hands, and our prayer is that we will have all the support from parents, teachers and the community, so that these children will grow up in the way that they should,” the Director said.
Reverend Mrs Anaba was hopeful that in about 10 to 15 years, the Upper East Region would be populated with doctors, lawyers and commercial farmers among other professionals who would change the face of the Region.
Asked if the school had scholarship scheme for pupils, the Director said “Yes, we do have scholarship scheme, especially for children who are brilliant and needy.”
She said a child could be going through the school and suddenly tragedy could hit, and the child could lose parents, and his or her education could be truncated, but with the support of the EAM, such children were supported to continue with their education.
“We have over 130 children we are taking care of right from primary through to tertiary institution. So, we are doing so to help the brilliant minds that are on this land,” Reverend Mrs Anaba said.
In a related interview, Reverend Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, a member of the Governing Council of the EAM, commended Reverend Eastwood Anaba and his wife for their contributions to the development of the Region in education, health, and other sectors.
Madam Evelyn Forson, the Bolgatanga Municipal Early Childhood Coordinator of the Ghana Education Service, in her address prior to the interview, noted that children developed critical skills, attitudes and values at early stages that shaped their future and the society.
She urged parents to be actively involved in their children’s education and stressed that their support at home was crucial to their children’s success in school, adding that the partnership with parents and teachers would help them grow into well-rounded individuals.
Madam Forson called on pupils of the school to make good use of the modern pre-primary school facility provided, saying “The education you receive here is the key to unlocking your future potential.
“Let us all commit to ensuring that it becomes a place of excellence, inclusivity, and joy. Let it be a beacon of hope for the entire community, inspiring all who enter to strive for greatness,” she said.
GNA