Arresting declining education standards:Modern early years centre established in Atorkor
The Dufia of Atorkor in the Anloga District of the Volta Region, Togbi Akumey Geli-Adjorlolo III, has expressed concern about the declining standard of education in the area.
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The chief pointed out that the situation could have far-reaching consequences for the youth's future prospects and the overall growth of the Atorkor community.
Togbi Geli made his concern known during a two-pronged event to mark the ninth Speech and Prize Giving Day of the Atorkor Basic School to acknowledge and reward hard work, as well as the commissioning of an early years centre for the school.
He stated that the importance of education as a foundation for the development and prosperity of the community could not be overemphasised and, therefore, called for collaborative efforts between local authorities, educators, parents and students to address the issue promptly.
Foundation
To deal with the decline in education, the Atorkor Development Foundation (ADF), in collaboration with the Royal Masonic School for Girls (RMSG), UK, has established the Atorkor Early Years Education Centre (AEYEC) to serve as an institution aimed at providing a solid foundation in education for pre-school and school-going children in Atorkor.
The AEYEC would also serve as a well-resourced centre that offers comprehensive educational, medical and social support to the enrolled children. This includes medical assessments, educational plans tailored to individual needs and the involvement of parents as active partners in their children's education.
The project is envisaged to become a model school for the community and district by extension.
The Dufia of Atorkor acknowledged the enormous investments made by the ADF and its partners over the years in terms of materials and resources and also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the RMSG, UK, for their unwavering support to the school.
He stated that over the years, the RMSG, UK, had generously donated educational materials, including books and computers to improve learning in the school while sponsoring female students from the community, enabling them to access quality education.
The first phase of the early years centre.
Early years education
Speaking on the theme for the occasion, “Early Years Education: The Foundation for Quality, Progressive and Successful Education”, the District Director of Education, Yvonne Akpene Ame-Bruce, said it was regrettable that in the past, Early Childhood Education (ECE) had not received the attention it deserved.
She, however, added that presently, ECE was gaining the recognition it merited for its pivotal role in laying a strong foundation for learners.
"Early Childhood Education not only prepares children for primary school but also caters to their holistic development - addressing their physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs to ensure their overall well-being," she said.
She stated that the AEYEC would not only serve as a model school but also as an in-service training centre for early childhood educators in the Anloga District.
Challenges persist
Presenting the school report at the ceremony, the Head Teacher of the school, Seth Kodowu Gadagbui, said the school's staffing of 18 teachers handling a population of 581 students seemed normal, but the "lack of classroom compounded with congestion made instruction quite difficult."
He said teachers' efforts at the end of teaching did not show in the performance of the pupils, as many of the classes were combined, which failed to engender class control.
He expressed gratitude to the ADF and its partners for their consistent assistance to the school and appealed for further upgrades of the Kindergarten department and the provision of computers, printers, a photocopier and a projector to fully operate the school's Information Technology laboratory.
Mr Gadagbui also appealed for the rehabilitation and expansion of existing structures of the school for more classrooms. He appealed for a Pre-Technical Skills instructor for students at the junior high school level.
The ceremony saw several awardees rewarded for their hard work and dedication.