The Tano South Municipality recently celebrated “My First Day at School,” a vibrant welcoming event designed to usher new kindergarten and primary school students into their academic journey. The event underscored the vital role education plays in shaping the future of the children within the municipality and brought together key stakeholders, including the Member of Parliament, Hon. Charles Asiedu, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Emmanuel Kwame Frimpong, the Presiding Member, Hon. Kusi Amponsah, along with officials from the Ghana Education Service and the Tano South Municipal Assembly. The collective presence of these leaders highlighted the significance of the occasion and their commitment to fostering a robust educational environment within the municipality.
The event featured visits to various public schools across the municipality, where the dignitaries, led by the MP, distributed essential educational materials, refreshing drinks, and delightful treats to the new entrants. This gesture aimed to create a joyous and memorable first-day experience for the children, encouraging them to embrace the learning process from the outset. The distribution of these supplies not only served as a warm welcome but also addressed practical needs, ensuring that students have the tools to begin their educational journey equipped for success.
Hon. Emmanuel Kwame Frimpong, the MCE for Tano South, articulated the core objective of the initiative: to ignite a passion for learning within the young hearts and minds and establish a firm foundation for their future academic achievements. He acknowledged the challenges observed during their school visits, including insufficient desks, overcrowded classrooms, and dilapidated school buildings. This candid assessment of the existing infrastructure underscores the commitment to addressing these shortcomings and ensuring that students have access to a conducive learning environment.
In response to the identified challenges, Hon. Frimpong outlined the Assembly’s budgetary allocation for providing desks to schools within the municipality before the end of the year. Further addressing the issue of overcrowded classrooms, he revealed the ongoing construction of three new classroom blocks. Moreover, plans are underway to secure support from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) for additional educational projects. Recognizing the importance of sanitation and hygiene, all new classroom blocks will be equipped with toilet facilities, with a new facility currently under construction at Dwomo Methodist and other schools lacking such amenities.
Hon. Charles Asiedu, the Member of Parliament for Tano South, reinforced his dedication to meeting the educational needs of his constituency and improving the quality of education within the municipality. He highlighted efforts made to ensure that children in remote villages like Raponho and Pumpunase have access to basic education, reducing the burden of long commutes. Addressing another observed deficiency, the lack of computer labs in schools, the MP assured that plans are being developed to provide ICT labs and centers across the municipality, leveraging technology to enhance the learning experience.
The MP’s address culminated in a call for collaboration and support from various stakeholders and organizations to collectively enhance the quality of education in Tano South. He emphasized the importance of a unified approach, recognizing that collective effort is essential to achieving the shared goal of providing quality education for all students. This call for collaboration extended beyond government agencies to encompass the broader community, underscoring the shared responsibility for educational development.
Mr. Anthony Yeboah, Head of Human Resource Management and Development, representing the Municipal Education Director, Mrs. Agnes Amihere, addressed the teachers present, emphasizing the importance of upholding the ethics of the teaching profession. While acknowledging the inevitability of human error, he cautioned against exploiting this to deviate from professional standards. He urged teachers to dedicate themselves to imparting knowledge effectively, ensuring that pupils grasp the concepts being taught. This emphasis on teacher accountability highlighted the crucial role educators play in shaping the future of their students.
Mr. Yeboah further underscored the government’s commitment to addressing issues affecting effective teaching and learning, aiming to make the teaching profession more attractive. In turn, he called upon teachers to reciprocate these efforts by giving their best and instilling in their students the value of respecting their elders. This reciprocal relationship between government support and teacher dedication highlights the collaborative nature of educational development within the municipality. The “My First Day at School” event not only welcomed new students but also served as a platform to address challenges, celebrate progress, and reaffirm the commitment to providing quality education in Tano South.
