By Yussif Ibrahim
Mampong (Ash), Nov. 18, GNA – St. Monica’s Senior High School has celebrated its 79th Anniversary with a vibrant ceremony that honoured academic excellence, discipline, and the collective contributions of students, staff, parents, and alumni.
Organised by several year groups, the event highlighted the school’s long-standing role in shaping confident and value-driven young women.
This year’s theme, “Quality Education: Embracing a Dynamic and Holistic Approach for the 21st Century,” underscored the shift from teacher-centred learning to a learner-focused model that integrates essential 21st-century skills.
Madam Frema Osei-Opare, a former Chief of Staff and distinguished alumna, who chaired the event, reflected on St. Monica’s transformative legacy, expressing confidence that exposure to accomplished alumnae who have “broken the glass ceiling” would inspire current students to aim higher.
She emphasised the significant national improvements in education, including increased access and rising female enrolment in tertiary institutions.
She made a strong case for holistic learning and community engagement and called for stronger investment in technical and vocational education (TVET) to meet modern economic demands.
“You are being educated to serve the community and to make an impact,” she reminded the students.
Hajia Shamima Muslim, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, said Ghana risked slowing its development without an education system fit for the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions.
Holistic education, she noted, must nurture critical thinking, creativity, digital literacy, and strong values.
She emphasised integrity, discipline, respect for time and environment, and the importance of promoting physical well-being and bodily autonomy for young women.
The Deputy Government Spokesperson highlighted huge investments being made by the government through the Free SHS, Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and other initiates to improve learning outcomes at all levels of education.
She also announced upgrades for St. Monica SHS, a requested 33-seater bus expanded to 66 seats, and an approved 1,500-seat assembly hall expanded to 4,000 seats, attributed to President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure.
Dr. Cynthia Asamoah Gyimah, Headmistress of the school, reaffirmed the school’s mission of nurturing disciplined and morally grounded young women through values of creativity, accountability, effectiveness, religiosity, and discipline.
She called for greater commitment from all stakeholders, stressing that achieving quality education “must come with greater sacrifice.”
Dr. Gyimah highlighted generous alumni contributions, including fully furnished three-part nurses’ quarters (1985 group), 50 dining hall desks (1975 and 1995 groups), and a visual display unit and eight dormitory bunk beds (2005 group).
However, she said the school which is now serving 4,300 students and 285 staff faces acute infrastructural pressure.
With first-year enrolment expected to nearly double next academic year, she appealed for immediate investment to expand infrastructure.
GNA
Edited by Yussif Ibrahim/Christian Akorlie