The Chief of Esaase Bonteifufuo, Nana Siaw Kesse II, has urged all stakeholders in the education sector to support the government in enhancing the standard of education in the country.
According to him, education is a shared responsibility and requires the collective effort of individuals, communities, and authorities to ensure its success.
Speaking during the maiden inter-schools quiz competition organized by the Nana Siaw Kesse II Foundation at Esaase Bonteifufuo Senior High School, Nana Siaw Kesse II revealed that he had observed a decline in the standard of education in the community, hence the introduction of the quiz competition to serve as a source of motivation for learners and subsequently improve the standard of education in the community.
“We realized that the standard of education in our community was declining, so I met with our assembly member and unit committee members to discuss the issue. Together, we decided to introduce this competition, as we believe it will motivate the youth to take their education seriously.
“It is our vision that in the next 20 to 30 years, we will have Ministers and MMDCEs emerging from this very community through this foundation. We also aim to create a fund that will support and cater to the educational needs of learners in our community.” He said.
He continued, “accessing education is the right of every child; therefore, as community leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that every child receives quality education.
The competition featured the following participating schools:
- Esaase D/A JHS and Primary School
- Esaase R/C JHS and Primary School
- Esaase Methodist JHS and Primary School
- Esaase SDA JHS and Primary School
- Esaase Modern Star Academy JHS and Primary School
At the end of the contest, Esaase Methodist JHS and Primary School emerged as the champions and were awarded a projector and printer machines, along with other prizes.
The assembly member for Esaase Bonteifufuo Electoral Area, Hon. Gabriel Yeboah, commended Nana Siaw Kesse II for his visionary initiative and urged parents to prioritize their children’s education to secure their future.
He also highlighted the academic excellence of the Esaase Bonteifufuo Senior High Technical School, which recorded a 100% pass rate in last year’s WASSCE.
“We are very grateful to Nana for his vision in improving the standard of education in the community. As the community continues to grow, we must make a conscious effort to enhance education.
“The Senior High School in our community achieved a 100% pass rate in last year’s WASSCE, which is a testament to the school’s excellent performance. We deeply appreciate Nana’s dedication to improving education in Esaase.” He stated
On behalf of the Amansie West Director of Education, Mr. Simon Amponsah Antwi, the Ahwerewa Circuit SISSO Officer, Mr. Joseph Amugsia, outlined some of the major challenges facing education in the district.
“We are facing numerous challenges, but let me summarize them. One major issue is the shortage of teachers. We do not have enough teachers across all schools, especially within the circuit and the district as a whole.
“For instance, there is a school in the circuit with approximately 595 students, yet only five teachers are available to manage classes from KG to P6. This is just one primary school, and the situation has been a challenge for us since 2021, as teacher recruitment in this area has been difficult.” He disclosed.
Mr. Joseph Amugsia further revealed that, they are currently facing serious accommodation challenges and called on Nananom and government to come to their aid.
“We face serious accommodation challenges. Teachers struggle to find suitable housing, forcing many to commute from other communities due to the lack of accommodation in the area.
“The few accommodations available are extremely expensive. Can you imagine that in a community like Esaase, a single room with no basic facilities—no toilet, no water, nothing—costs ₵5,000 per year? On top of that, tenants are required to pay a two-year rent advance before securing a room.
“We are appealing to Nananom that while they are making efforts to improve education, they should also consider building accommodations for teachers. This will help retain teachers in the community and enhance the quality of education.” He appealed.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com / Nana Akwasi Kyere
