By Edward Williams
Anfoega (V/R), Nov. 3, GNA – The Anfoega Old Students’ Association (ANFOSA) and Management and Staff of the Anfoega Senior High School (ANFOESEC) have launched the 60th Anniversary Celebrations slated for November 2025.
The launch also rallied support to undertake major educational projects which would put the School at a Grade A level in the country and beyond.
Madam Bertha Dzeble, Chairperson, Anniversary Planning Committee, said the Committee had settled on “Celebrating 60 Years: The Role of Stakeholders in Providing Quality Education for the 21st Century” as the theme for the celebration.
She said the theme fitted into the vision of the Ghana Education Service for the future of education in Ghana and their own determination to transform their beloved ANFOESEC into a Grade A school.
Madam Dzeble said two important projects were settled on for the 60th Anniversary Celebration which included face-lifting of the School entrance with fence-wall adjoining the school gate from the opposite ends.
She said there would also be the development of a standard sports complex attached to the fence-wall as well as the building of a modern Home Economics and ICT Block.
Madam Dzeble said the project’s cost was estimated at GH¢4,000,000, adding that a huge responsibility confronted them hence the need to put their shoulders to the wheel to make it a success.
She said statistics from the School showed that a total of 9,739 students had graduated from the School between 1976 and 2024 not counting those from 1965 to 1975.
Madam Dzeble rallied the support of the Old students for the self-help projects with their generous contributions.
Mr Albert Dodo, Headmaster of the School, said the School had witnessed a sharp increase in students’ enrolment as well as staff population in recent years as a result of the Free Senior High School policy.
He said the total enrolment of students for the 2023/2024 academic year was 1,664 out of which 730 were final year students who had written the recent 2024 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), 413 first years and 521 second years.
Mr Dodo said the current staff strength stood at 132 made up of 98 teaching staff, 34 non-teaching, three National Service Personnel, three members on internship and two Youth Employment Authority staff.
He said although indiscipline among students had become a major challenge confronting Management and staff at the senior high level in recent years, “general discipline at ANFOESEC is under control”.
Mr Dodo outlined the numerous achievements of the School from academic, agriculture and sports while commended the efforts of stakeholders including old students, organisations, Parents Association, the Member of Parliament and District Chief Executive.
He said despite the School’s success stories and supports being received, it was still confronted with numerous challenges.
Mr Dodo said the School had not received any significant infrastructure expansion since the inception of the Free SHS Policy, leading to the converting of six of already inadequate classrooms to General Administrative Office, Accounts office, library, staff common room, ICT lab, food and book stores.
Togbi Gidiyiboe, Chairman, Board of Governors, urged the students to strive in their academic journey while calling on parents to continue to encourage their wards in their studies.
Dr Peter Hayibor, a Legal Consultant, said all stakeholders of the School and students must be interested in bringing out products that would be able to compete with other products globally.
He noted that the limited period of the country’s current educational system was a threat to quality education.
Mr Francis Yao Agbemadi, Volta Regional Education Director, called for a collaborative work for the implementation of the new curriculum, which would begin from the academic year beginning November 2024 as well as create a conducive learning environment for the students.
Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, Paramount Chief of Anfoega Traditional Area, on his behalf and the Area, pledged an amount of GH¢10,000.
Solidarity messages were delivered by the North Dayi Member of Parliament, North Dayi District Chief Executive, and North Dayi District Education Director.
The event was graced by old students, religious and traditional leaders and students with cultural, spectacular and melodious performances from the School’s Cadet Corps, Choir and Cultural Troupe.
The launch which precedes the National launch in March 2025, also coincides with the 2024 Homecoming event aimed at fostering networking among alumni, staff and students.
GNA