12-UNIT CLASSROOM COMMISSIONED AT BAWKU SHS
12-UNIT CLASSROOM COMMISSIONED AT BAWKU SHS January 27, 2011
BY P. ATOGEWE WEDAM
ISD-BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Upper East regional minister, Honourable Mark Owen Woyongo has stated that government is committed to improving the educational infrastructure in the country through the provision of lecture halls and classrooms, dormitories, modern libraries equipped with computers among others. This is based on the premise that, education improves the productive capacities of individuals and societies.
Honourable Woyongo made the statement in an address to commission a newly constructed 12-unit classroom block at the Bawku Senior High School in the Bawku municipality. He noted that educational development in the north has been quite recent as compared to the south and said special attention must be given to schools in the northern regions. For instance, while the first school in Ghana was established in 1737 at Cape Coast, it was much later in 1907 that Upper East got the sight of a school structure built in Navrongo.
The regional minister cautioned school authorities to live above reproach. He said teachers should dedicate part of their lesson time to give moral education to students as most crimes in the society are committed by the youth between the ages of 13 and 30 years. He further advised teachers to desist from indulging in sexual relationships with their students as this practice will breed indiscipline and disregard for authority as well as tarnish the image of teachers.
Mr. Woyongo recalled with worry series of demonstrations that rocked some second cycle institutions across the Upper East region during the 2009/2010 academic year and called on all stakeholders including chiefs, religious bodies and the PTAs to help the schools to maintain discipline and high moral standards among the students under their care.
In his welcome address, Headmaster of Bawku Senior High School, Mr. Kpuli Bismark Simon revealed that the school, formerly known as Azoka secondary school was established on October 11, 1963 with only 50 students and four tutors. About 48 years today, the school has grown to a size of 2,383 students with staff strength of 120 including non-teaching staff. The school offers courses including general arts, agriculture science, business and vocational courses.
Mr. Kpuli commended the school’s parent-teacher association for renovating some accommodation and dormitory facilities for the school among others. He also praised Messrs Johnaps Enterprise of Zebilla, the contractor for completing the 12-unit classroom block on schedule. He however appealed to the regional minister to put pressure on other contractors such as Messrs Nuhu of Bolgatanga to return to site and complete a boys’ dormitory and another project awarded to him.
The headmaster revealed with excitement that since 1963, the school scored 100 per cent passes in the 2009 WASSCE adding that his staff and students alike are poised to improve their academic output as the years roll by.
According to the headmaster, Bawku SHS is beset with a host of obstacles including lack of transportation, inadequate accommodation for both staff and students, rising utility bills and indebtedness to food suppliers and other service providers. He thus appealed to the regional coordinating council, philanthropists and old students of the school to assist in all areas so as to enhance academic work.
On his return to Bolgatanga, the Upper East regional minister inspected ongoing projects at two senior high schools. They included a 1000-seater dining hall at Zebilla senior high school and a one-storey classroom block at Kusanaba senior high school.
BY P. ATOGEWE WEDAM
ISD-BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Upper East regional minister, Honourable Mark Owen Woyongo has stated that government is committed to improving the educational infrastructure in the country through the provision of lecture halls and classrooms, dormitories, modern libraries equipped with computers among others. This is based on the premise that, education improves the productive capacities of individuals and societies.
Honourable Woyongo made the statement in an address to commission a newly constructed 12-unit classroom block at the Bawku Senior High School in the Bawku municipality. He noted that educational development in the north has been quite recent as compared to the south and said special attention must be given to schools in the northern regions. For instance, while the first school in Ghana was established in 1737 at Cape Coast, it was much later in 1907 that Upper East got the sight of a school structure built in Navrongo.
The regional minister cautioned school authorities to live above reproach. He said teachers should dedicate part of their lesson time to give moral education to students as most crimes in the society are committed by the youth between the ages of 13 and 30 years. He further advised teachers to desist from indulging in sexual relationships with their students as this practice will breed indiscipline and disregard for authority as well as tarnish the image of teachers.
Mr. Woyongo recalled with worry series of demonstrations that rocked some second cycle institutions across the Upper East region during the 2009/2010 academic year and called on all stakeholders including chiefs, religious bodies and the PTAs to help the schools to maintain discipline and high moral standards among the students under their care.
In his welcome address, Headmaster of Bawku Senior High School, Mr. Kpuli Bismark Simon revealed that the school, formerly known as Azoka secondary school was established on October 11, 1963 with only 50 students and four tutors. About 48 years today, the school has grown to a size of 2,383 students with staff strength of 120 including non-teaching staff. The school offers courses including general arts, agriculture science, business and vocational courses.
Mr. Kpuli commended the school’s parent-teacher association for renovating some accommodation and dormitory facilities for the school among others. He also praised Messrs Johnaps Enterprise of Zebilla, the contractor for completing the 12-unit classroom block on schedule. He however appealed to the regional minister to put pressure on other contractors such as Messrs Nuhu of Bolgatanga to return to site and complete a boys’ dormitory and another project awarded to him.
The headmaster revealed with excitement that since 1963, the school scored 100 per cent passes in the 2009 WASSCE adding that his staff and students alike are poised to improve their academic output as the years roll by.
According to the headmaster, Bawku SHS is beset with a host of obstacles including lack of transportation, inadequate accommodation for both staff and students, rising utility bills and indebtedness to food suppliers and other service providers. He thus appealed to the regional coordinating council, philanthropists and old students of the school to assist in all areas so as to enhance academic work.
On his return to Bolgatanga, the Upper East regional minister inspected ongoing projects at two senior high schools. They included a 1000-seater dining hall at Zebilla senior high school and a one-storey classroom block at Kusanaba senior high school.
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