‘Let’s make study of science attractive for students’
A lecturer of the University of Ghana Business School, Mrs Edem Emerald Welbeck, has restated the need to create an enabling and attractive environment for students to venture into the study of science because it is paramount for rapid development.
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She said science and technology was growing fast, as knowledge and skills based on science and technology had become prerequisites in new areas and new parts of the labour market.
Mrs Welbeck was delivering the keynote address on the theme: “The role of Science and Technology in Girls’ Education: A Tool for National Development” at the 61st Speech and Prize-Giving Day of the OLA Senior High School in Ho.
She stressed that students, especially the girl child, should be provided with opportunities to access, understand and evaluate current information and tools related to science and technology if they were ready to live in the 21st century.
“Not only do doctors, pharmacists, engineers and technicians need science and technology, but accountants, financial analysts, human resource practitioners, among others, require some skills in technology, especially information technology, to increase production and efficiency through automation of their skills,” she stated.
Sponsorship
The 61st speech day was sponsored by the 1989/1991 year group, with 87 prizes awarded at the ceremony and also the donation of 700 textbooks on various subjects for students’ use, as well as the institution of a full scholarship scheme for a student each year.
The Headmistress of the school, Mrs Benedicta Afesi, commended the sponsors for the initiative and expressed the hope that other year groups would emulate the gesture.
She said OLA wanted a re-awakening of science and technology because the future was in the hands of those who could solve life’s challenges with ready answers.
“Interventions in modern methodology in Mathematics and Science are what we are pursuing vigorously. This is because we want to break the myth surrounding Mathematics and Science once and for all in OLA,” she stated.
Holistic support needed
The Board Chairperson for the school, Mama Agblatsu III, said there were categories of OLA graduates: the ancient, modern and millennium groups.
She commended the 1989 year group for their initiative and the excellent organisation to bring together available human capital towards the fulfilment of the vision of the founding fathers of the school.
In her address, the Head Girl of the school, Miss Martha Enyonam Osroade, called on all stakeholders to take an interest in the development of schools, adding that, “The government cannot do it alone, politicians cannot do it alone and ostensibly, OLA Senior High cannot do it alone.”
In a solidarity message, the Catholic Bishop of Ho Diocese, Most Reverend Francis Anani Lodonu, said the Catholic Church would not compromise principles underlying Catholic Christian education, adding that the protocol list for admissions was a worry and creating congestion and embarrassment in schools.
