Yesterday, the Ghana Education Service (GES) interdicted the Headmistress of the West Africa Senior High School (WASS), Mrs. Shine Agatha Ofori, for allegedly collecting unauthorised fees from the students.
The Headmistress has, therefore, been asked to hand over the administration of the school to the Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, pending the final determination of the issue by the Regional Disciplinary Committee.
This is not the first time the GES has taken such an action against the head of a second-cycle institution in the country. The GES, this year, interdicted the Headmaster of Fijai Senior High School in Sekondi, Mr. Kenneth Agbomadzi, for allegedly charging illegal fees.
He was, however, reinstated after a committee tasked to probe the issue cleared him off any wrongdoing.
The Chronicle will like to commend the GES for such timely interventions when heads of second-cycle institutions are alleged to have misconducted themselves, as this will serve as a deterrence to other institutional heads.
In order to preserve the sanctity of our schools and maintain the trust of parents and students, it is imperative that such unscrupulous headmasters/headmistresses are interdicted and held accountable for their actions.
This is because such unethical practices, not only undermine the principles of fairness and transparency, but also pose a significant threat to the education of students.
While we commend the GES for a good work done, we also appeal to them to channel that same energy to other problematic issues that crop up in our schools. There are other educational institutions that need urgent attention, just like WASS.
An example is the Holy Trinity Cathedral Senior High School (HOTCASS), which was once a vibrant school, but has been thrust into distress and uncertainty as its nine-classroom one storey building has had parts of its roof ripped off during a rainstorm about two years ago, transforming it into a potential death trap.
This disheartening sight of a school located in the capital, Accra, not only highlights the dismal state of educational infrastructure in the country, but also raises concerns about the profound impact it has on the students.
Education is the bedrock of any nation’s progress, and Ghana has long recognised the value of investing in its youth. However, with the school’s roof torn asunder and the building left to decay, leaving the students vulnerable to a host of challenges.
Firstly, the physical safety and well-being of the students are at risk. They endure harsh weather conditions during rainy seasons, disrupting their studies and affecting their health.
The dilapidated infrastructure also poses potential hazards, making the school an unsafe environment for learning. Also, the abandoned ripped off roofs send a disheartening message to the students about the value society places on their education.
As the students witness the crumbling edifice of their dreams, it becomes increasingly challenging for them to remain optimistic and enthusiastic about their education and future prospects.
Furthermore, the School’s current condition reflects poorly on the GES and government’s commitment to education. We carried the sorry plight of HOTCASS in yesterday’s issue of The Chronicle and we want to once again use this opportunity to urge the GES and government to take urgent steps to rebuild the school and provide the students with a safe environment to learn and thrive.
Public-private partnerships could also play a pivotal role in tackling the issue of neglected schools. By joining forces, The Chronicle believes government and the private sector can pool resources to develop sustainable solutions for Ghana’s educational needs.
