By Francis Kwabena Cofie, GNA
Legon (G/A), July 08, GNA – The North Hills International School situated in North Legon, Accra has celebrated its Eighth Speech, Prize- Giving and Graduation Day with a call on stakeholders in education to renew their commitment to nurturing future leaders.
Well-rounded future leaders will contribute meaningfully to society and the country at large.
Stakeholders were further urged not to relent in investing in education that develops not only knowledge but also character, confidence and competence.
In an address, the guest speaker for the occasion, Professor Anthony Owusu- Ansah, the Chief Executive Officer, Lands Commission, who made the call said in today’s rapidly evolving world, success is no longer measured by what we know but by how effectively we communicate our ideas to others.
“A child who communicates confidently and effectively possesses a greater advantage in every sphere of life,” he said.
The celebration was on the theme: “Shaping the Future, Language and Competence “.
The event saw 86 students graduating comprising Kindergarten two, year six and year nine.
Professor Owusu-Ansah further explained that “the ability to express ideas clearly and effectively opens doors to endless opportunities.”
According to him, in an increasingly inter-connected world, effective communication has become one of the most valuable skills any individual could possess.
He said as a nation, “our greatest resource is not found beneath the earth or within the natural environment,” adding that, “our greatest resource is our people.”
The quality of the nation’s future, he said, would largely depend on the quality of education we provide and the skills we impart to these young ones.
He encouraged the pupils not only to excel academically but also to become confident communicator
Prof Owusu-Ansah said: “Develop your language skills, build your competence, embrace technology responsibly and demonstrate integrity in all that you do.”
He commended the collaborative effort of teachers and parents towards advancing the interest of learners.
“If we equip our children with strong communication, critical thinking abilities, technological awareness, creativity and confidence, we will create a generation capable of driving national development and competing on the global stage,” he stressed.
In a welcome address, Mrs Adu Boateng, the General Manager of the school, reminded the pupils that education was not only about gaining knowledge but developing character.
“The world you are entering now is filled with opportunities, but it is equally filled with challenges that require wisdom, discernment and self–discipline,” she said.
She mentioned that one of the greatest challenges facing young people today was the influence of social media.
“While technology provides valuable opportunities for learning, communication and innovation, it can also present significant dangers when used irresponsibly “, she noted.
She therefore admonished graduating pupils students to be mindful of the content they consume, the information they share and the digital footprint they create.
Mrs Boateng cautioned them to avoid the temptation to measure their worth by online popularity or seek validation through social media platforms.
The school, she said, remained committed to providing a holistic education that prepares pupils not only for examination but also for life, adding that, one remarkable area of growth is the introduction of Chinese language to the curriculum.
A major success, she revealed, has been the successful completion of the digitization agenda two years ahead of schedule.
“Every classroom is now fitted with projectors, desktop computers and interactive digital boards ensuring students benefit from modern technology – driven education, “she stated.
The school awarded fifty percent scholarship on tuition for the academic year for students who excelled exceptionally, an initiative designed to motivate academic excellence.
In a brief address, Rev Dr Lawrence Tetteh, the President of Worldwide Miracle Outreach commended the school for making languages such as French and Chinese integral to the curriculum of students.
He urged parents to encourage their children to learn these languages to measure up to the changing global development trends.
He bemoaned the fact that majority of Ghanaians did not get the advantage of the French Language at school when “our French speaking neighboring countries have the advantage of speaking English Language in addition to French.”
Madam Bertha Boamah Benin, the administrator of the school, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the over 30 sponsors of the annual event while calling on them not to relent in their efforts to partner the school achieve its enduring vision.
She said the school’s doors were opened to other well – meaning organisations wishing to partner with the school to achieve its lofty ambitions.
Awarding teachers for their outstanding efforts, the overall best teacher Mr. Collins Siaw Darko received an amount of 10,000c.
Mr Sadiq Kambala, a Chartered Accountant, who chaired the occasion, commended the school for the profound investment in education, urging stakeholders to sustain the partnership to help achieve its vision towards nation-building.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah