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YMCA school in Ghana success based on addressing community need
When computers becomes an examinable subject in Ghana next year, the students at the YMCA Mpraeso School may still be learning computers through chalk-board theory instruction, but they will rise to the challenge and overcome the odds as they have do
When computers becomes an examinable subject in Ghana next year, the students at the YMCA Mpraeso School may still be learning computers through chalk-board theory instruction, but they will rise to the challenge and overcome the odds as they have done before.
Situated high in the mountains in Kwahu Ridge, in the Eastern Region of Ghana, the school opened in 1996 as a day care centre with an enrolment of five girls and six boys. Today, it has expanded to include Junior Secondary School with a current student enrolment of 263 girls and 291 boys.
The school received initial funding from the German YMCA and some funding up until 2002, but its steady growth is attributed to the close partnership between the school leadership, the YMCA Mpraeso leadership and the Parent Teacher Association.
Initially it catered for students from the local community, but now a school bus ferries students from six surrounding towns.
“In 2000, parents asked the school body to expand to a secondary school as they were so pleased with the development of their children that they wanted them to continue their education with the school,” said Emanuel Asomaning, Director of the school.
A long-term approach was taken to the building of classrooms, and the construction of a storey-structure is ongoing to ensure expansion is continuous.
“Most of the money for the expansion has come in the form of loans from our YMCA members,” explained Samuel Adjei Tenkorang, a teacher at the school and a YMCA member.
The first JSS graduates in 2007 received an 85% pass rate and last year there was 100% pass rate, and the school was ranked second out of 178 schools in the district. This year’s graduates are presently awaiting the results of the examinations.
“Our students have really excelled in maths and science, with some of them winning regional contests and one even won a national award. We have also come first place a number of times in the Annual March Past, which celebrates the country’s independence each year on 6 March,” said Nana Alex Awere, the school accountant who keeps tabs on more than just the balance sheet.
The parents are of mixed income, including chiefs, police officers and doctors, as well as those who are poor.
“Two of our students have been sponsored as they are extremely bright but come from needy families who could not continue to pay school fees,” said Nana Alex. “Their families are very involved in their education and meet regularly with teachers to assess progress.”
The parent body has raised funds for needed school items and parents also come to give motivational talks to the students about their careers. Through a partnership with the government hospital, the students are vaccinated free at school.
The short-term goal now is to obtain computers and set up an internet cafe for the students. Based on its past track record of partnership, the school is hoping that this is achievable by the beginning of the next school year in September 2010 when computers is a compulsory and examinable subject. The school body, YMCA Mpraeso and the Parent Teachers Association is prepared to work hard to achieve this. But they also know that they will be able to manage somehow using theory lessons to ensure the students are not disadvantaged.
By: Gil Harper, Executive Secretary: Communications, Africa Alliance of YMCAs.
posted onThursday, September 24, 2009
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