Open Forum on Education in Nandom Municipal.
Open Forum on Education in Nandom Municipal. The discussion went well, and we hoping that it would yield a bigger results. The programme was well attended too. Thanks to the committee behind this initiative.
(EDUCATION 2023) MCE ADDRESSES 2023 BECE CANDIDATES.
It's that time of year again on the academic calendar when final year candidates eagerly prepare to sit for the 2022/2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E). In the Nandom Municipality, there are 1,062 registered candidates, consisting of 518 males and 544 females, ready to follow in the footsteps of their remarkable predecessors.
On August 7th, 2023, the exams kicked off in the Municipality, and the MCE, Hon. Raymond Nero, along with the Municipal Education Director, Municipal Coordinator Director, Police Commander, and Circuit Supervisors, visited the five examination centers. This included the existing centers at Ko Centre and Nandom Centre, as well as the newly added centers at ST. Cecilia Basic School, ST. Maria Goretti JHS, and Baseble R/C Centre.
Addressing the candidates, Hon. Raymond Nero conveyed his well wishes and encouraged them to make the most of this opportunity. He emphasized that this exam is their first major step towards a brighter future and urged them to avoid any malpractices that could jeopardize their development and career prospects.
The MCE reminded the candidates of the generous support they received from Hon. Ambrose Dery, their Member of Parliament. This support included sponsoring their mock examinations, bringing in examiners from WAEC to guide them on answering exam questions, providing mathematical sets, and even offering hot lunch and water during the exam period. Hon. Raymond Nero urged the candidates to emulate the excellent performance of Mr. Maxwell Sombuor Mwintire from ST. Maria Goretti JHS, who was honored as the overall best candidate in the Upper West Region in 2021.
In conclusion, Hon. Raymond Nero encouraged the candidates to choose Senior High Schools within the Municipality and take advantage of the Free Senior High School policy implemented by the government. He wished them well and added that one candidate unfortunately couldn't sit for the exam due to illness, while a nursing mother was recorded at the Ko examination center.
MCE VISITATIONS TO PROJECTS SITES IN THE NANDOM MUNICIPALITY ON WEDNESDAY, 3RD MAY, 2023
On Wednesday, 3rd May, 2023 the Municipal Chief Executive of Nandom, Hon. Raymond Nero embarked on a series of project site visitations within the Nandom Municipality. The purpose of these visits was to inspect ongoing projects and assess the progress that has been made so far.
One of the first places Hon. Nero visited was Bu Community, where a 1No. 2Unit Classroom kindergarten block and office and common room with 2-seater KVIP Toilet, 2-unit Urinal, Court and furnishing has been completed. This facility was built with funding received from DPAT V funding. He was impressed with the work that have been done and commended all those who have been involved in bringing the project to fruition.
From there, Hon. Nero proceeded to Vapuo to inspect the construction and furnishing of 1No. CHP’s compound with 2-Seater Water Closet, staff quarters and a 2-Seater KVIP Toilet which has reached its roofing level and its boards completely fixed. The project is being realised through funding from the MP’s common fund. Again, Hon. Nero was very pleased to see the progress that has been made and encouraged the workers to continue working hard and to maintain the high quality of work that they have being delivering.
Next, he visited the 1.4km Puffien through Biiregang to Dondonmenteng road construction site which has achieved two phases of bitumen. He was pleased to see the progress that has been made on this important road and encouraged the workers to continue working hard to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Hon. Nero also visited the ongoing construction of a 1No. 2Unit Classroom kindergarten block and office and common room with 2-seater KVIP Toilet, 2-unit Urinal, Court and furnishing at Bekyeregun. This project is funded from the Member of Parliament’s share of the GETFUND. He was super elated to see a quality work that has been done so far and encouraged all those involved to continue working hard to ensure that the project is completed on time and to a high standard.
Finally, he visited the road construction site of the Nandomle road linking to the Nandomle community. Hon. Nero encouraged the engineers on site, thanking them for their hard work and dedication to service.
MY FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL.
MCD OF NANDOM MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY AND EDUCATION DIRECTOR PAID VISIT TO VARIOUS BASIC SCHOOLS IN THE MUNICIPALITY TO HONOUR MY FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL.
MCE Honorable Raymond Nero commissioned GES Staff Office.
MCE Honorable Raymond Nero commissioned GES Staff Office.
NANDOM JSS STUDENTS
Nandom MP Honours Scholarship Promise to Best Student of Ko SHS
Member of Parliament of the Nandom Constituency, Ambrose Dery has honoured his promise to one Bogsor Naab Emmanuel, a former student of Ko Senior High School and now a student of Bagabaga College of Education in Tamale.
As part of the MP’s drive to improve performance of students in his Constituency, he made a promise in 2017 to award a scholarship to any student of Ko SHS who would perform better than the school’s previous WASSCE record.
Mr. Naab emerged the Best WASSCE student for 2018 with aggregate 17 but could not beat the previous record.
However, the MP in his own wisdom decided to grant him the scholarship in order to encourage others to do better in the coming years.
An aide to the Nandom MP, Mr. Alphonse Naab today presented an undisclosed some of cash to excited Mr. Emmanuel Naab.
Mr. Emmanuel Naab expressed his gratitude to the MP for seeing the need to reward him even though he did not deserve it.
By Stephen Kobom
NANDOM KPEE D/A JHS GET A 3-UNIT CLASSROOM BLOCK
Pupils of the Nandom Kpee Junior High School in the Nandom District of the Upper West Region will no more share classrooms with their junior sisters and brothers at the Nandom Kpee Primary School. This is because the Nandom District Assembly has constructed an ultramodern 3-Unit fully furnished Classroom Block with ancillary facilities for the school.
At a brief handing over ceremony, the District Chief Executive of the Nandom District Assembly, Mr. Thaddeus Arkum Aasoglenang, described the process as heartwarming and relieving for the students, teachers and Parent Teachers Association of the Nandom Kpee Junior High School. According to Mr. Aasoglenang, hitherto, students of the JHS occupied some of the classrooms of the Primary School for teaching and learning activities. This he said seriously affected teaching and learning in both the JHS and Primary Schools and also overstretched the facilities in the school. Mr. Aasoglenang said the situation made it imperative for the construction of a classroom block for the Junior High School. He said government is determined to ensure that education is given the necessary attention it deserves. Mr. Aasoglenang said the future of Ghana depends on education, hence the reason government is rolling out the appropriate educational policies targeting at all and sundry. He said similar classroom blocks are under construction at Kambaa, Danko, Dumangye Monyupelle and Zimuopare.
Mr, Aasoglenang implored on the Ghana Education Service and the Community leaders of Nandom Kpee and its environs, to ensure that the facility is put in good use. He said parents should endeavor to allow their wards especially girls, to remain in school in order to become responsible citizens in the future.
The acting Human Resource Manager of the Nandom District Education Directorate, Mr. Terri Raymond, who represented the District Education Director at the handing over ceremony, expressed gratitude to the Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffu Addo led government for its sense of responsibility to the educational needs of students in the District. Mr. Terri Raymond said government’s educational policies in the last two years have been of extreme benefit to those in the poverty bracket.
Nandom Kogle Gets Library Through Initiative of Former UCC VC
A one hundred and fifty thousand Ghana Cedis library facility has been commissioned and handed over to the Kogle Community Schools in the Nandom district of the Upper West Region.
This benevolent gesture is the initiative of a native of the community and former Vice Chancellor of University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Domwini Dabire Kuupole.
The facility which is a community library meant for all schools in the Kogle Community is in honour of Prof. Kuupole’s parents and aimed at improving the academic excellence of pupils in the area.
The one hundred seater capacity facility has an ICT lab with the ability to accommodate at least 40 people. There are a wide range of books spanning the basic to tertiary level.
Giving details of his motivation to put up the facility, Prof. Kuupole said the Library initiative was borne out of an earlier open forum held in 2015 to find ways and means to improve the standard of education in the area. In this regard, a challenge was thrown to the community members and the Kuupole family took it upon themselves to build the library.
Prof. Kuupole speaking at the ceremony while Dr
Prof. Kuupole speaking at the ceremony while Dr. Mrs Alfredina Kuupole looks on.
The National Investment Bank donated seed money of GHS 20,000 for the construction. Wife of former Vice President, Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur and EPP Books and Stationery also donated laptops and books to advance the cause of the library.
At the commissioning on Wednesday, the MP of Nandom Constituency, Mr. Ambrose Derry, described the gift as "one of a kind". He urged students of the community to make the best use of the facility and charged the District Education Service to maintain it to serve the community. Mr Derry noted the library should be the first point of reference in the acquisition of knowledge for the students rather than relying on the internet which has the tendency to corrupt the mind with the numerous ills it comes with.
The District Director of Education, DCE and traditional leaders were also present to grace the event.
A section of the traditional leaders at the commissioning ceremony
A section of the traditional leaders at the commissioning ceremony
From the University of Cape Coast, the Provost of the College of Distance Education, Prof. Isaac Galyon, former Pro Vice Chancellor of UCC, John Nelson Buah, Mr Kwabena Antwi Konadu, Manager of CBS, Deputy Manager CBS, Daniel Opoku and Assistant Registrar, Public Relations and Protocol Section of the University, Felix Adu-Poku were present to throw in their support.
The DCE of the area being assisted by Prof and Dr. Mrs Kuupole to cut the tape to officially commission the library facility
The DCE of the area being assisted by Prof and Dr. Mrs Kuupole to cut the tape to officially commission the library facility
Prof. Kuupole and wife Dr. Mrs Kuupole takes people through some of the reading materials at the library
Prof. Kuupole and wife, Dr. Mrs Kuupole takes people through some of the reading materials at the library
Some Newspaper collections in the Library
Some Newspaper collections in the Library
The DCE tries his hands on some of the laptops at the ICT lab in the library
The DCE tries his hands on some of the laptops at the ICT lab in the library
Prof
Prof. Kuupole hands over the keys of the Library to the DCE of the area.
Educational Sector
There has been a general improvement in the educational sector between the periods of 2002-2005. This improvement can be realized in physical infrastructure development at the pre school level (Day Nursery) as well as enrolment at the Primary level. Currently more than 65% of the current District Population can now access primary education within 4 -5km distance. The achievement is through the collaborative efforts of Ghana Education Service and NGOs operating in the education sector.
Educational Facilities
The district has a total of 137 educational institutions comprising fifteen (24) Day Nurseries, Seventy (70) Primary, thirty-five (35) Junior Secondary Schools, five (5) Technical/ Vocational and three (3) Senior Secondary Schools (See Table 15 ). A number of NGOs have played and continue to play various roles in the development of educational infrastructure in the district.
Nevertheless, there is still much to be done in view of the increasing demand for basic education. Some of the schools seriously lack furniture as children sit on stools and stones in class. Twenty two (22) Primary Schools need pre-school facilities since it is the goal of the nation to integrate early childhood development centers in the formal education system.
At the primary school level 7 schools have average condition and need rehabilitation while three (3) need new structures (reconstruction). At the JSS level three (3) schools need rehabilitation while five classrooms blocks need reconstruction works. Dormitories and classrooms blocks are seriously required in the SSS level as well as workshops and vocational training schools for JSS and SSS leavers.
It can be observed from the table15 that between the periods of 2002 and 2005 educational infrastructure has increased by only 12 representing 10.4 % of the already existing facilities with Day Nurseries taking 8 (66%) of the newly established facilities. This is indicative of the district objective of laying a good foundation for successful basic education.
Nevertheless there is the need to pay particular attention to the improving the number of existing Primary Schools which have not changed since 2002. It is worth noting that though the number of school facilities has not increased considerably during the period, there have however been intensive rehabilitation and reconstruction works in most dilapidated schools. Most schools are currently in good conditions compared to 2002.
Spatial Distribution of Educational Facilities
The schools in the district are distributed according to eight circuits namely Daffiama, Fian, Issa, Kaleo, Nadowli, Takpo Jiang and Charipong. The number of circuits has increased by 2 since 2002; these are the Jiang and Charipong circuits. This aim is to enhance effective monitoring of school activities by circuit supervisors in view of the increased enrolment in primary schools and the need to improve upon the quality of teaching and learning.
There is a relatively fair distribution of educational facilities among the circuits as far as Pre School and basic educational facilities are concerned. With the exception of Issa that has no Day Nursery, all circuits have Nurseries, Primary and JSS. Only three circuits (Daffiama, Kaleo and Nadowli) have SSS.
School Enrolment
Currently the gross average enrolment rate in Primary schools is about 91% which is far above the national target of 88.5%. Girls’ enrolment at the primary school level is higher (97%) than that of the boys (85%). This has been the result of a number of interventions put in place by government (capitation grant) and some NGOs to arrest low enrolment and high drop out rate particularly for girls at the JSS level.
The gross enrolment at JSS level (58.4%) is not encouraging when compared to enrolment at the Primary level. Contrary to the situation in primary, enrolment for boys supersedes that of girls. This according to education authorities is due to elopement, teenage pregnancy and the unwillingness of some parents in maintaining girls in school because of the prevailing poverty and patriarchal believes among some of the people. Public sensitization and financial support is therefore paramount if girl enrolment is to be brought to desired levels in the JSS.
Staffing in Basic Schools
There has not been any significant change in the staffing situation even after the appointment and posting of the pupil teachers. Most schools in the remote areas are still poorly staffed. The current teacher-pupil ratio is 1: 45 and 1:25 at the primary and JSS respectively as compared with 1: 57 and 1:25 in 2002. The high pupil teacher ratio at the primary is due to increasing enrolment levels and the decreasing number of teachers posted to the district. The table below presents the staffing situation in both primary and JSS.
In terms training, 67% and 85 % of Primary and JSS school teachers respectively currently have the requisite qualification as compared with 57% and 94% in 2002. Thus while the situation in the primary has improved, that of the JSS has deteriorated as percentage of qualified teachers has dropped from 94% to 85%. Not withstanding this improvement at the primary level there is the need to ensure equitable and fair distribution of qualified teachers among the Primary and JSS to improve upon the quality of teaching at the Primary level where trained and competent teachers are most needed.
Generally the problems in the educational sector include:
• Inadequate staffing
• Inadequate teacher's bungalow
• High dropout rate at the JSS level especially for girls.
• Inadequate logistics for monitoring
• Inadequate incentives for teachers in deprived communities
Skill and Entrepreneurial Development for Youth
The district has five (5) Vocational/technical schools that train the youth in a wide range of skills including weaving, carpentry, soap making, batik tie and dye and dressmaking. The schools are the Issa Youth Leadership Training Centre, St. Basilide Vocational/Technical School, Kaleo Vocational/Technical, St.
Theresa’s Vocational Centre and Tibani Technical.
There are also individual smock weaving and blacksmith industries in the district providing apprenticeship training to of the youth. Other existing vocations such as carpentry, hairdressing, and dressmaking also contribute in the training of the youth. A modern training workshop is currently under construction by the District Assembly.
This project after completion will provide advanced technical and vocational skills to the youth majority of whom are drop out who lack employable skills. It will also transform the economy by providing the needed technical skills for accelerating the establishment and development of small scale industrial activities.