Let’s focus on critical thinking instead of rote learning — Former MP
The Association International School has marked its 60th anniversary with a call on stakeholders to build the education system on critical thinking rather than learning by rote to make the products suitable for leadership and agents of change.
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The school, which, for the last 60 years, has trained thousands of responsible personalities in society, including motivational speaker and business executive, Comfort Ocran; the founder of Ashesi University, Dr Patrick Awuah, and the former Commissioner of Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Lauretta Vivian Lamptey, marked the anniversary with a durbar that attracted many high-ranking personalities.
The dignitaries included the aspiring flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Alan Kyerematen; the Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour; the Deputy Majority Leader, Alex Afenyo Markin; the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Brian Acheampong; a broadcaster, Oheneyere Gifti Anti, parents and alumni, among others.
Critical thinking
A former NPP Member of Parliament for Twifo Atti Morkwa in the Central Region, Abraham Dwuma Odoom, who made the call, expressed the need for the content of the education system to be built on critical thinking rather than on remembrance “if we want the children to take up leadership positions and be agents of change”.
At the anniversary launch, he explained that the style of education of the country was mainly for “chew and pour” purposes, which did not help students think and make practical decisions to build their societies.
“Hence, changing the methods of teaching and learning to emphasise thinking on issues rather than remembering things will develop innovative minds necessary for development.
“So, let us endeavour to look at our education in the light of thinking rather than remembrance because that is what we need now as a country,” he said.
Values
Mr Odoom added that the value of education was important; thus, the private sector needed to invest in the field of education as it was currently the engine of growth in the country.
"Let us be sincere to ourselves when it comes to the contributions of the private sector to the growth of a country and economy," he said.
Anniversary
The anniversary, which also marked the Founder’s Day celebration, was characterised by performances from the students of the school, which included orchestra performances, traditional performances, dance performances and drama.
The event was climaxed with the official launch of the anniversary cloth and merchandise, which would be used throughout the year-long celebration.
God factor
For his part, Mr Markin commended the institution for the strides in building and developing children in a Christ-like manner since its inception.
That, he said, was laudable because, in the current global village where children were exposed to a lot of things on social media, institutions needed to centre on instilling good morals, which he said, the school had actively done over the years.
Mr Markin, however, urged that children are rightfully invested in to ensure that a responsible generation is churned out to promote and develop the country and the world at large.
