By Emelia B. Addae
Kade (E/R), July 13, GNA – Kade Senior High Technical School (KASTECH) has commemorated its Students Representative Council (SRC) Week with a civic education programme in collaboration with the Kwabibirem Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).
The event was intended to foster civic responsibility, leadership in civic awareness, and student engagement in democratic discourse.
It was held under the theme: “Empowering Student Voice: Amplifying Student Opinion.”
The SRC leadership, together with school authorities, invited representatives from the NCCE to address the students on the importance of civic participation and the role of the youth in shaping national conversations.
Addressing participants, Mrs. Gertrude Adwoa Defoe, the Municipal Director of NCCE, commended both teachers and students for the well-planned SRC week celebration and involving the NCCE, explaining that the Commission was mandated to educate citizens on matters of civic responsibility and democratic governance.
“It’s commendable that KASTECH recognises the relevance of civic education in developing informed and responsible future leaders,” she said.
Mrs. Defoe noted also that voices and opinions expressed by students reflect their identities, which underscored the need to amplify their perspectives to improve national discourse and democratic governance and development.
“Students’ point of view on any issue is vital but students must be guided to express their opinions well,” she stated, adding that, “how opinions are aired makes the difference: the words to use and the appropriate channels to use.”
She encouraged students to voice their concerns using appropriate channels, that include class prefects, school prefects, teachers, house masters, counselors, student forums and written articles.
Mrs. Defoe further advised students to be circumspect in using social media because cyber bullying was real. “You should not be lured by bloggers and some media practitioners to misrepresent the school,” she advised.
She encouraged students to share not only their personal concerns but also ideas that could improve the overall functioning of the school, pointing to a more collaborative and supportive learning environment through open communication
“Students should not only talk about what affects them personally but also what will enhance the smooth running of the school. Your opinions should be constructive and not destructive. Report students with offensive weapons, huge sums of money or illicit affairs,” she said.
Mrs. Defoe described the situations where students taking guns to school and shooting themselves as bad precedent and should be condemned.
She noted that for students’ voices and opinions to be well amplified, they ought to possess values such as truthfulness, integrity, and respectfulness.
The NCCE Director urged school authorities to give students the opportunity to give feedback, and that students should not be victimised when they speak up, but rather authorities must act swiftly on those concerns.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/Benjamin Mensah