Source Ghanamediatrend.com
Education News Ghana
Awe SHTS in Navrongo appeal for support to rebuild discipline and academic excellence.
The headmaster of Awe Senior High Technical School (SHTS) in Navrongo, Mr. Augustine Atanga, has issued a strong call for assistance from government bodies, alumni, and educational stakeholders to tackle the growing indiscipline and critical infrastructure challenges that are threatening the school’s academic performance.
Speaking during a durbar held as part of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Week celebrations, Mr. Atanga expressed concerns about the school’s deteriorating environment.
The event, which coincided with the second anniversary of the SRC and preceded the upcoming Speech and Prize-Giving Day, was held under the theme “Recalibrating Our School to Take Its Rightful Position in Academic Excellence.”
Mr. Atanga voiced concern about an increase in student misbehavior, which includes using of illegal drugs, bringing mobile phones into the exam hall, and having illegal objects on campus
He emphasized how urgently discipline must be restored in order to uphold the school's basic principles and enhance student learning.
"Our students engage in behavior in ways that are substantially distinct from moral values that we upheld for many generations," he stated. "If unchecked, implementation of these practices will restrict us from achieving excellence."
He also stated significant infrastructure deficits, including a lack of transportation, inadequate classroom furniture, no library or functional science and ICT labs, and an insufficient dining facility. These deficiencies, he noted, pose serious challenges to effective teaching and learning.
He questioned how academic success could be achieved without consistent class attendance or serious academic commitment.
“How will a school achieve academic success without even a single means of transport? How will students excel without desks, classrooms, a library, science and ICT labs, a proper dining hall, and a kitchen where they can eat comfortably? How can they excel when they are not even able to rest soundly?” he asked.
Regardless of the challenges, Mr. Atanga acknowledged some progress in water supply, sanitation, and general discipline, made possible through collaboration with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and local authorities. He complimented traditional leaders and urged alumni and development partners to step ahead in order to support
"We are making every effort under very difficult situations, but the fact is that we cannot do it alone,” he said. “Together, we can restore the dignity and academic excellence this school once enjoyed.”
