Instill in students values of academic integrity for a responsible future

By Francis Kwabena Cofie, GNA   

Akropong (E/R), March 04, GNA – Stakeholders in education have been urged to instill the values of academic integrity in students, to prepare them for a morally responsible future.   

They also advised students to largely practice independent work in their search for academic honors.    

Dr Alexander Tetteh Kwasi Nuer, an International Development Management, Social Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness expert, gave the advice at the 15th Founder’s Day Memorial Lecture held at Okuapeman Senior High School (SHS) at Akropong.   

The event, which was on the theme: “Upholding Opoku Akyeampong’s legacy of Excellence: Embracing academic integrity for a brighter future,” was sponsored by Adehye ‘96’ and supported by Adehye ‘76’, ‘86’, ‘06’ and ‘16’.   

Dr Nuer admonished the students to avoid examination malpractices through the undue usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI), instead of delivering independent work.    

He said the founder of the school, Barrister Opoku Acheampong, had the vision that education must produce open, disciplined and self-made individuals, to position them for responsible roles in society.   

He charged teachers to prepare the next generation to have a renewed sense of commitment to take up the mantle of societal leadership.   

“You are a living positive influence on those entrusted to you, so leave a positive legacy and enduring impact on them,” he said.    

He said the Founder of the school had a passion of purpose in the provision of quality, high school education and to instill in the next generation a sense of integrity and community building.    

He noted that Okuapeman School was among the few public high schools in Ghana, that enrolled students with special and unique needs, a demonstration of the belief in inclusive education.   

Rev. Richard Koranteng Afari, the Headmaster of the school, in a welcoming address said, “We have faced many challenges, but we believed that the only way we could preserve our rich heritage for prosperity and a brighter future was by strictly maintaining academic integrity”.   

He indicated that the lecture would charge staff and students alike to collectively strive for academic integrity going forward.   

Mr Sammy Awuku, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, advised the students to allow the discipline they had received to shape them into responsible adulthood.    

He indicated that a world of opportunities awaited them in the world, and all they required was to live up to the values and virtues much expected of them, to sail through their academic pursuit successfully.    

He said “Opoku Acheampong reminded us, we should not just talk about our values, virtues and beliefs but live the core values of what we profess.”    

Odehye Steve Asante Bekoe, the National President of the Okuapeman Past Students Association, encouraged the students to be flexible in the pursuit and discovery of their careers, to lay a finger on their true calling, adding that being rigid in their thoughts could limit their true potential.   

Launching the legacy project, the ‘Adehye 96-year group announced the adoption of” The Down Classroom” for renovation.    

GNA   

Edited by Christabel Addo