The Akosombo International School has held its 37th Speech and Prize Giving Day on Saturday, 18th July, 2009, with a call on teachers and parents to make suitable education a legacy that will hasten development of the country.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Wood on the theme; “The challenges facing educators in raising tomorrow’s leaders with right attitudes and values,” her ladyship Justice Cecilia Sowah called for a paradigm shift in the country’s educational system.

“Existing programs and curricula have to be re-oriented by re-thinking the ends it serves and adjusting its contents. We must build the capability of our youth to face a changing world economy and enterprise,” she said.

Justice Sowah said the choice of theme for the celebration was so relevant in an era where there is declining values and increasingly wrong attitudes in the youth of today which manifest in daily reports of armed robbery, sakawa or internet fraud, occultism, indecent dressing and general indiscipline and disrespect for law and order.

Education, she stressed must go beyond imparting book knowledge, and inculcate in students moral and ethical values which will contribute to development in the country.

Quoting from Article 11 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, she said every child must have a right not only to education, but that education must lead to the development of the child’s personality, fostering respect for human rights, strengthening positive African values and cultures and to prepare the child for responsible life in free society.

In line with that, she lauded government for initiating the School Feeding Programme, saying, “It should be our ultimate aim that once we have enrolled every child in school, we must ensure that they learn something. Once they appear ready to learn, we must make sure that the material is useful for their future needs.”

She called for capacity building for teachers who are key change agents or stakeholders in the drive towards toward raising tomorrow’s leaders.

History

Akosombo International School was formed in 1962 to offer workers of the Volta River Authority the opportunity to provide first class education to their children.

Chief Executive officer of the VRA, Mr. Kweku Awotwi who was the Guest of Honour for the celebration pledged the authority's continued support for the school.

He said a task force has been formed to come with recommendations which will be vigorously pursued for a successful implementation of the four year SHS educational system which kick starts this academic year.

The Head Master, Senior High School Division, John Tawia, bemoaned the speaking of ‘pidgin English’ which he said is negatively affecting students' proficiency in the Queen's language.

He called for more collaboration between parents and teachers in the task of educating the children.

Out of 174 students that sat for the Senior High School Certificate Exams in 2008, 167 passed in all subjects, with 147 passing in eight subjects.

Whilst performance in the Junior High School Education Certificate Exams for 2008 witnessed a slight dip vis-à-vis that of 2007, performance in the WASSCE in 2008 was impressive than that in 2007.

Awards were presented to deserving students teachers, and non-teaching staff who excelled in their various areas of endeavours.

Master Patrick Dolie picked up four prizes, including best student in the University of Cambridge GCE/O Level exams.


Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana