By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Nov. 01, GNA – The Ayifua St Mary’s Anglican Basic School in Cape Coast has appealed to the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) and the Metro Education Directorate to expand the school’s infrastructure to accommodate the increasing pupil population.
The management of the school also wants parts of the facility renovated to give it a facelift and create a more conducive learning environment.
The school has a current population of more than 600 pupils.
Speaking at the school’s second Speech and Prize Giving Day, Madam Gifty Safoah Buckman, the Headmistress, noted that the school received requests for admission virtually every week, but they had no space to accommodate more students.
She added that the school’s library had been converted into a classroom for KG1 pupils while the KG2 class continued to study in a dilapidated block.
“I would like to appeal to the Metro Assembly to construct a new block so that we can accommodate the ever-increasing demand for admission in the school for next academic year,” she stated.
“We are also pleading with the Metro Education Directorate to liaise with the Metro Assembly to build a KG block for the school,” she added.
The Speech and Prize Giving Day was held on the theme: “Improving Academic Excellence in Basic Schools: the role of Stakeholders.”
The event was interspersed with a variety of entertaining performances from the pupils including drama, cultural dance, poem recitals and choreography.
Pupils and teachers alike were recognised and rewarded for excelling in various fields.
Madam Buckman noted that academic work was progressing steadily with a significant improvement in performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), adding that they were working to enhance the performance even further.
She said the school in the last few years had chalked many successes in academic competitions in the Metropolis.
She announced plans by the school to undertake several projects, including skidding of some classrooms, completion of the school’s canteen and drainage system, and acquisition of a public address system in the coming year.
The headmistress entreated old students of the school to form an association to support their alma mater.
She thanked all stakeholders including parents, teachers, past heads, and the Municipal Chief Executive for their various roles on the school’s progress.
She appealed to all parents to support the education of their children in whatever way they could as it was the best investment they could make in them.
“My dear learners, one of the most powerful things you have in life is your mind. The way you think can shape your progression,” she said.
“Everyone has the power to achieve greatness, but it is essential to believe in yourself. Work diligently and never underestimate the power of hard work and dedication,” she urged.
Mr Charles Agyapong Boamah, Headmaster of University Practice Senior High School, emphasised that improving the standard of education was a shared responsibility and appealed to all stakeholders to play their parts diligently.
He urged pupils to set academic goals, participate in class, aim high, avoid truancy, work hard and never stop believing themselves, stressing that their education was their most powerful tool.
He described teachers as the pillars of academic excellence whose role it was to shape the minds and future of the pupils to ensure every child had the opportunity to thrive.
He also entreated parents to take keen interest in the academic development of their wards while urging school administrators to support teachers and ensure the safety and wellbeing of the pupils.
Mr Boamah appealed to government and local authorities to play their roles by providing adequate infrastructure and properly equipping classrooms to engender fair access to education and enhance quality education.
“Improving academic standard is a journey that involves all of us. By working to together, we create a culture of excellence where every child is given the opportunity to succeed,” he stressed.
Master Manasseh Fiifi Afful, the Head Boy, urged his fellow pupils to strive for excellence and embrace challenges that might arise along the way.
Madam Phyllis Asante-Krobea, Metro Education Director indicated that government was working hard to raise the standard of education in Ghana by promptly paying teachers and introducing policies and initiatives to improve on performance.
While applauding teachers for their contributions to the progress of education, she encouraged them to go the extra mile, assuring that their rewards would come in different forms.
Mrs Regina Quartey Appiah-Sekyere, the Regional Manager, Anglican Educational Unit, in a statement delivered on her behalf entreated basic schools to embrace digital technology teaching and learning.
She also urged teachers tailor instructions to meet the varying needs of students by providing additional learning support and personalising learning experiences.
Mr Horace Ekow Ewusi, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Cape Coast North Constituency for Election 2024, promised the school a new block should he win the upcoming parliamentary elections.
He donated GHS5,000 to support the school’s renovation projects.
GNA