NASS HOLDS MAIDEN SPEECH AND PRIZE GIVING DAY
REPORT BY_Peter Atogewe Wedam, Journalist
GAMBAGA [Information Serv. Dept.]
OCTOBER 25, 2008
Headmaster of Nalerigu Senior High Mr. S.B. Awari [middle front row], stands up for the school's anthem
The Nalerigu Senior High School, NASS situated in the East Mamprusi district of the Northern region has held its maiden speech and prize giving day at Nalerigu under the theme “Discipline- the basis for academic excellence”. This is the first time the school has organized such a programme in its 36 years of existence.
The headmaster of the school Mr. S.B Awari, in his welcome address revealed that the staff strength of NASS stands at 52 comprising 47 male teachers and five females teachers. This number handles a student population of nearly 1,369. Meanwhile, 55 non-teaching staff also perform various roles in the smooth running of the school.
The senior high school programmes offered at NASS include general arts, general science, general agric, home economics and business.
According to Mr. Awari, the high level of discipline exhibited by his students has paid off as there has been remarkable improvement in the school’s performance in the WASSCE examinations. He noted that out of an average of 450 students presented annually for the exam in 2005, 2006 and 2007, the number of students that passed in all eight subjects has increased progressively from 26 to 48 and then to 82 respectively.
Also, the number of students that qualified for admission into tertiary institutions increased over the same period. Notwithstanding this, the headmaster expects more from his students whilst promising that staff and administration will do all within their power to ensure smooth and effective learning.
Touching on accommodation, Mr. Awari said there is acute shortage of facilities to house teaching staff causing many teachers to reside in Nalerigu township, a situation he noted does not allow for punctuality on the part of teachers thereby drawing back academic work. The few existing bungalows were built in the 1950s and have since not seen any renovation.
The school also lacks adequate dormitory and classroom infrastructure to accommodate the increasing numbers of students who gain admission. The headmaster therefore called for the speedy completion of number of ongoing projects sponsored by the GETFund in order to solve the numerous accommodation problems the school faces.
He also asked stakeholders to provide modern equipment for the school’s computer and science laboratories.NASS began as a middle boarding school in 1947, later became a teacher training college and finally gained the status of a secondary school in 1972.
Mr. Awari thanked all stakeholders including the PTA, the Gambaga office of SSNIT, Macmillan publishers and the East Mamprusi community bank for donating generously towards the school’s speech day.
The pioneer senior prefect of NASS who also the president of the old students association of the school, Mr. Adams Martin Chinto commended the headmaster and his staff for organizing the first-ever speech and prize giving day for the school saying that past headmasters and administrations tried and failed.
Mr. Chinto enjoined all old students of the school to register and join the association so that it will be able to assist in providing for the needs of their alma marta.
In a speech read for him, the guest speaker, Northern regional minister, Hon. Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris admonished authorities of the school not to view the occasion as a mere celebration but rather use it as a platform to deliberate on vital issues impeding the school’s progress. Hon. Idris said provision of facilities to for school should be a collective responsibility and urged old students of the school in influential positions to assist.
The minister said government has over the years placed high premium on education culminating in the implementation of programmes such as the capitation grant, school feeding programme and assistance for needy students in its bid to ensure that education gets to all. He was happy that the district assembly has been assisting NASS in the provision of some basic needs.
Hon. Idris observed that the region has many development partners willing to assist in educational programmes and entreated management of the school to write proposals through the regional coordinating council for support.
His was worried about news of waywardness and drug abuse among students and advised them against these acts saying drugs have never enhanced any person’s learning abilities what they rather do is that they do irreparable damage to the human system.
Hardworking staffs and students who distinguished themselves in academics were given awards. An award winner, Miss Rashidatu Bashiru in an interview said her award is an encouragement for her to work harder to achieve more laurels. She hoped the authorities will organize the programme annually so that other hardworking students like her can have the opportunity of winning some awards.
GAMBAGA [Information Serv. Dept.]
OCTOBER 25, 2008
Headmaster of Nalerigu Senior High Mr. S.B. Awari [middle front row], stands up for the school's anthem
The Nalerigu Senior High School, NASS situated in the East Mamprusi district of the Northern region has held its maiden speech and prize giving day at Nalerigu under the theme “Discipline- the basis for academic excellence”. This is the first time the school has organized such a programme in its 36 years of existence.
The headmaster of the school Mr. S.B Awari, in his welcome address revealed that the staff strength of NASS stands at 52 comprising 47 male teachers and five females teachers. This number handles a student population of nearly 1,369. Meanwhile, 55 non-teaching staff also perform various roles in the smooth running of the school.
The senior high school programmes offered at NASS include general arts, general science, general agric, home economics and business.
According to Mr. Awari, the high level of discipline exhibited by his students has paid off as there has been remarkable improvement in the school’s performance in the WASSCE examinations. He noted that out of an average of 450 students presented annually for the exam in 2005, 2006 and 2007, the number of students that passed in all eight subjects has increased progressively from 26 to 48 and then to 82 respectively.
Also, the number of students that qualified for admission into tertiary institutions increased over the same period. Notwithstanding this, the headmaster expects more from his students whilst promising that staff and administration will do all within their power to ensure smooth and effective learning.
Touching on accommodation, Mr. Awari said there is acute shortage of facilities to house teaching staff causing many teachers to reside in Nalerigu township, a situation he noted does not allow for punctuality on the part of teachers thereby drawing back academic work. The few existing bungalows were built in the 1950s and have since not seen any renovation.
The school also lacks adequate dormitory and classroom infrastructure to accommodate the increasing numbers of students who gain admission. The headmaster therefore called for the speedy completion of number of ongoing projects sponsored by the GETFund in order to solve the numerous accommodation problems the school faces.
He also asked stakeholders to provide modern equipment for the school’s computer and science laboratories.NASS began as a middle boarding school in 1947, later became a teacher training college and finally gained the status of a secondary school in 1972.
Mr. Awari thanked all stakeholders including the PTA, the Gambaga office of SSNIT, Macmillan publishers and the East Mamprusi community bank for donating generously towards the school’s speech day.
The pioneer senior prefect of NASS who also the president of the old students association of the school, Mr. Adams Martin Chinto commended the headmaster and his staff for organizing the first-ever speech and prize giving day for the school saying that past headmasters and administrations tried and failed.
Mr. Chinto enjoined all old students of the school to register and join the association so that it will be able to assist in providing for the needs of their alma marta.
In a speech read for him, the guest speaker, Northern regional minister, Hon. Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris admonished authorities of the school not to view the occasion as a mere celebration but rather use it as a platform to deliberate on vital issues impeding the school’s progress. Hon. Idris said provision of facilities to for school should be a collective responsibility and urged old students of the school in influential positions to assist.
The minister said government has over the years placed high premium on education culminating in the implementation of programmes such as the capitation grant, school feeding programme and assistance for needy students in its bid to ensure that education gets to all. He was happy that the district assembly has been assisting NASS in the provision of some basic needs.
Hon. Idris observed that the region has many development partners willing to assist in educational programmes and entreated management of the school to write proposals through the regional coordinating council for support.
His was worried about news of waywardness and drug abuse among students and advised them against these acts saying drugs have never enhanced any person’s learning abilities what they rather do is that they do irreparable damage to the human system.
Hardworking staffs and students who distinguished themselves in academics were given awards. An award winner, Miss Rashidatu Bashiru in an interview said her award is an encouragement for her to work harder to achieve more laurels. She hoped the authorities will organize the programme annually so that other hardworking students like her can have the opportunity of winning some awards.
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