Set up scholarships for brilliant, needy children
The Director of Mends Academy, Mr Paul Mends, has appealed to parents and individuals to support schools and set up scholarships to help brilliant, needy students access quality education.
He explained that there were a lot of parents, particularly from rural communities, who cannot afford the fees of their wards. Yet, their children are very intelligent and could score excellent grades when given the opportunity.
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Mr Mends, who made the appeal at the third graduation ceremony of Mends Academy in Accra, said it was his prayer that brilliant needy children in the country could be covered under scholarship schemes to secure a better future for them.
“Africa, and particularly Ghana, is struggling because parents, in the past, have refused to invest in their children’s education.
It should be the number one priority of parents if we want our children to succeed. If parents can give their all to the education of their children, social vices and delinquent behaviours will reduce to the barest minimum, if not entirely eradicated from our society,” he emphasised.
He has, therefore, encouraged parents to take a keen interest in their wards’ education.
Speaking on the theme: “Quality Education: the best legacy parents can leave their wards”, a senior lecturer and Head of the Department of Early Childhood Education at the University of Education, Winneba, Dr Michael Subbey, called on parents to collaborate more with teachers to ensure proper upbringing of their wards and prepare them for the future.
According to him, parents have a sacrificial role to play in ensuring their children access quality education.
He stressed that the child's education starts from home while the teacher modifies and builds upon the already formed character of the child.
“Parents must pay regular visits to schools, participate in Parent Teacher Association (PTA) activities and make sure they monitor the child’s school activities such as homework and other assignments taken home by their children,” he pointed out.
Thirty-seven students graduated from the school. Twenty-six kindergartners graduated to Class One while 11 Class Six pupils moved to junior high school (JHS).
They received certificates while deserving students were awarded. The Overall Best Pupil, Master Felix Nyani received a scholarship package.
The special guest of honour, Nana Benpu II, who is also the Aburi Ankobeahene, presented a cheque for GH¢1,000 to support the scholarship scheme.
