‘Free Education is not Free’

The Free Senior High School policy introduced by the Government to make secondary education in Ghana absolutely free, is not free after all, since there are additional financial contributions parents are expected to make to ensure quality education for their wards, Rev. Msgr. Alex Bobby Benson, has said.

Msgr. Bobby Benson, Director of Matthew 25 at Koforidua, lamented about the precarious situation of our education, and called on stakeholders to look at ways to address the bottlenecks in the system and safeguard quality education delivery in the country.

He made these observations in a homily at Madina, during the induction ceremony of 75 new members of the Accra Archdiocesan St. Vincent de Paul Society (SSVP).

Speaking on the theme: The Spiritual Growth of the Vincentian in the Economic and Political World of Today, he challenged members of the Society to support and bring hope to the needy in our society.

He said our current political and economic situation calls for the need for Christians, especially members of the Society to reach out to the poor in the areas helping in paying the fees of needy students and feeding the poor.

“What can we do in our little way to support the needy children go to school or the aged? he asked.

Msgr. Bobby Benson urged the SSVP members not to be deterred by the challenges of the time but to endeavour to reach out to others, while trusting the Lord in serving the needy.

“Don’t let the challenges kill your desire to help” he stressed, urging the members to make time, and use their talents, knowledge and resources to support.

He challenged members of the society to go back to their parishes and ask the parishioners to support, urging them to for instance organised the aged in their vicinity and fete them once a year.

 Mr. Emmanuel Tornyeagah, Archdiocesan President of the Society, who congratulated the new members and sustain the momentum you bring and continue to reach out to others.

He announced that the initiation of new members into the Society would from next year be done at the Parish level, and charged the various deaneries to get training Officers to continue training members of the society.

Concelebrating Priests at the Mass included Rev. Fr. Michael Ofori, Archdiocesan Spiritual Director of the Society, who inducted the new members.

Prepare Students for life

The Participant with dignitaries at the function

Very Rev. Fr. Joseph K. Nsiah, Vicar General of Jasikan Diocese, has appealed to teachers not to only teach their pupils and students for exams but to prepare them for life.

Describing teachers as agents for change and development, he entreated them not to be content with they already know but to improve and update their knowledge in order to enhance their delivery.

He made the remarks during the opening ceremony of a month-long in-service training programme for teachers from the eight political districts under the Jasikan District, at the Diocesan Formation and Counselling Centre, Nsuta-Buem 

The in-service training, the second of its kind in the Diocese aimed at improving educational standards in the eight Districts, was organized by the Jasikan Diocesan Development Office, with sponsorship from Manos Unidas-Spain

Fr. Nsiah, citing the example of Japan and other countries, making through investment in their human resources, called for the same investment in teachers and students in the country, stressing the need for supervision for teachers to deliver.

To make this a reality, Mr. Innocent Bediako, Nkwanta North District Director of Education, also tasked teachers to stay committed to their profession and impact positively in the lives of their pupils and students.

He challenged teachers to add value to themselves, accept posting to deprived communities and share knowledge with their colleagues in order to give off their best at all stages of education to help groom good citizens for the country.

Similarly, Mr. Lawrence Aziale, Jasikan District Chief Executive, who commended the Jasikan Diocese for the project, observed that in-service training was critical for teachers to sharpen their tools in order to deliver.

He also urged teachers to appreciate their profession, motivate themselves, as well as encourage each other, and explore their environment and make the best of the opportunities there.  

In line with its vision for education, he said the District has established Scholarship schemes for Teachers and Best graduating students in the District to pursue further studies at the University.

Speaking on the theme: Education-Tool for Change for Development, Mr. Linus Attey, a retired educationist, noted that policy and administrative inconsistencies were affecting education delivering in the country.

He, therefore, called on stakeholders to rededicate themselves for the betterment of education in the country, urging the Government to ensure the completion of all uncompleted school buildings, and the provision of Teaching and Learning Material (TLM) on time.

To ensure the attainment of quality and responsive education, Mr. Attey also called for the motivation of teachers to give off their best, while urging the teachers to accept posting to rural areas.

Some participants who spoke to the Catholic Standard expressed their gratitude to the organizers of the programme notes that the training would go a long way to impact on their delivery in their respective schools.

The Science teachers, who were taken through the training in the first week were able to find simple innovative ways of developing mirror periscope, osmosis, and diffusion experiment with local materials. 

Fr. Pius Biamse, Director Diocesan Development Office noted that the in-service training for the 480 teachers of Science, Mathematics, English, and Information Communication Technology (ICT) was to support teachers at the basic school level and hone their skills with innovative ways teach the pupils.

He thanked Most Rev. Gabriel A.A. Mante, Bishop of the Diocese, as well as Seth Appiah and Josephine Sika who supports him at the Development Office.       

Among dignitaries’ present were some chiefs and Rev. Msgr. Vincent Antie, Director of the Diocesan Formation and Counselling Centre.

Allow Missions to select qualified heads

Government has been urged to allow Bishops and other Heads of Missions to choose qualified practicing members of the faith to head their schools in the country to ensure efficient and effective management of these institutions.

The Association of Catholic Heads of Higher Institutions (ACHHI), made the appeal at the end of its 38^th Annual National Conference at the Pope John’s Minor Seminary and Senior High School at Koforidua last month.

In a seven-point communique, the Association encouraged heads of Schools to intensify the teaching and learning of Religious and Moral Education in their schools, which as a prerequisite in ensuring the holistic formation of the students.

The Communique also called on Catholic heads of schools to acquaint themselves more on Government’s educational policies, as well as the objective of Catholic education in the country. This is envisaged to equip them with adequate knowledge needed to lead the young people entrusted to their care.

Similarly, the heads advocated for the clear definition of the General and Regional Managers of Unit Schools roles and their offices, calling for the offices to be well-resourced to enable the officers function effectively.

The Communique signed by Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Kwame Apetorgbor, President of ACHHI and Rector of St. Cyprian Minor Seminary SHS, Sawla, reechoed the need for all stakeholders to actively play their roles towards a more effective management and administration of the schools.

Members at the Conference, themed: Effective Management and Administration of Catholic Schools: The Role of Stakeholders, were optimistic that the partnership between the State and the Missions which the Government has always supported, would be strengthened for the benefit of students, parents and the country as a whole.

“Since Catholic spirituality makes preferential option for the poor, we welcome the Free Senior High School Policy.” While encouraging dialogue and constructive criticism to get the best out of the policy, they expressed hope that the programme would be of “utmost benefit to the poor and needy in society”.

C.Y. Baba Honoured

Mr Baba reviewing the parade

  The momentary standing ovation and the widespread applause that accompanied the introduction of Mr Clemence Yao Baba to the durbar at the Our Lady of Mercy (OLAM) Senior High School at Tema, was enough acknowledgement of a servant leader.

Mr. Baba, the immediate past Headmaster of the OLAM SHS, touted to have supervised improvement of the 17-year-old school, which has become a centre of excellence under his watch, was presented with a citation for his contributions at the school in the last four years.

For his effort, the School Navy Cadet and band mounted a colourful parade, and displayed some drills in his honour, which Mr. Baba, nicknamed ‘query man’ later reviewed.

The impressive Cadet also gave him an honourable farewell escort from the durbar grounds to the gate of the school.

The citation commended him for his dedication, firmness and proclivity to promote discipline and excellence at the school.  

Mr. Baba in an address recounted efforts made under his four-year tenure and touched on the completion of the school’s library, store, and staff common room projects, as well as the washroom and other projects, which were at different stages of completions.

He mentioned the introduction of Ga and Akwapim Twi in the Arts programmes run by the school, as well as other initiatives that encouraged the studies and supervision of academic work at the school.

The former headmaster who takes the reins of Chemu Senior High School, also in Tema, has served the Catholic Education Unit for the past 18 years. He once served as the Eastern Regional Manager of Catholic Schools under the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, before his appointment to OLAM four years ago.

Mr Baba thanked Mr Francis Ahiafor, Board Chairman of the School for his support as well as everyone who helped him during his tenure in office.

As a loyal member of the Catholic Church, a member of the Knight of St. John International and promoter of Catholic education, Mr. Baba acknowledged he would miss the School, but pledged his commitment to them, saying “I will still be a father and a friend to the school”.

He has since assumed his post as the new Headmaster of the Chemu Senior High School.

Mr. Baba being escorted from the durbar grounds

New Head for OLAM SHS

Mr. Baba handing-over to Madam Siabi

Madam Siabi

Madam Janet Attaa Siabi, the new Headmistress of the Our Lady of Mercy Senior High School, Tema Community One, has pledged to uphold Catholic principles, promote discipline and excellence at the school.

The new head, who promised to build on the successes of her predecessors and maintain high academic standards at the school, appealed to all stakeholders to support the development of the school.

She made the appeal during her installation and handing over ceremony at the forecourt of the school in the presence of the staff, students, family members and well-wishers at Tema.

Madam Siabi being installed

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Gosu, Dean of the Tema Battor Denary, who performed the installation on behalf of the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Accra, charged her to live by the tenets of Church and promote holistic education. 

Until her appointment, Madam Siabi, who hails from Kete Krachi in the Volt Region, was the Assistant Headmistress of Nungua Senior High School in Accra, after serving as Vice Principal of Teshie Technical School and Assistant Headmistress of Odorgono Senior High School.

She is a product of the Bimbilla College of Education and holds a degree in Social Studies as well as a second degree in Social Policy Studies from the University of Education, Winneba.

The New Headmistress, who is married to Mr. K. Bour-Donkor, is a staunch Catholic and the Vice Chairperson of the Pastoral Council of the St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church at Baatsona, Spintex Road, as well as a certified marriage counsellor at the Church.

Madam Siabi commended her predecessor Mr. C.Y. Baba for his contribution in improving standards at the school, and expressed her gratitude to God to be part of the School.

With a staff strength of 65 and 19 non-teaching, a student population of 1,100, she urged all to be punctual to school, perform their duties diligently and leave up to expectation.

In a congratulatory message, Mr. Fancis Ahiafor, Chairman of the Board of the School, urged her not be afraid to make decisions to improve the school, entreating her to seek the constant intercession of Mother Mary in the discharge of her duties.

Similarly, Alhaji Chief M.M. Sani, Chairman of the School’s Parent Teacher Association (P.T.A), who pledged the support of the Association, entreating her to be fair and firm in her decisions.