The Principal of the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI), Gabriel Kingsford Osei, has expressed concern over a significant decline in student enrolment across all State MA Basic Schools, including the Boys, Girls, Kindergarten, and Primary divisions.

Osei made these remarks while delivering a keynote address as the Guest Speaker at the launch of activities marking the 80th anniversary and homecoming of the State MA Basic Schools. The main anniversary celebration is scheduled for 2026.

He described the falling enrolment figures as a critical challenge that requires urgent and collective action from all stakeholders. Reflecting on past decades, Osei noted that admission into the schools was once highly competitive, often requiring influence or protocol due to overwhelming demand.

“Today, we are struggling to get people to come to the school. Let us reflect deeply on that,” he stated.

Emphasising the importance of basic education, Osei described it as a “gateway of opportunity,” noting that it provides foundational literacy and numeracy skills essential for lifelong learning and economic participation.

He stressed that basic education has historically served as a powerful engine for social mobility, producing engineers, business leaders, community figures, and politicians who passed through the schools.

According to him, basic education also plays a vital role in instilling civic responsibility, identity, and national pride among learners.

Osei further warned that the future of modern learners—expected to be creators, innovators, and change-makers—is under threat due to several challenges facing the schools. These include poor infrastructure, low student motivation, economic pressures on families, and growing competition from private schools.

In response, he unveiled a comprehensive blueprint aimed at reviving the State MA Basic Schools and restoring their former prestige. The plan focuses on modernisation, teacher development, and community-centred curriculum design.

Key aspects of the proposal include equipping school libraries with digital ICT tools, deploying and continuously training teachers in essential 21st-century skills, and fostering strong partnerships with communities to develop curricula that meet local and national needs.

Marking 80 years of basic education, Osei described the schools’ legacy as a testament to collective effort, while stressing that the journey ahead requires renewed commitment. Addressing students directly, he encouraged them to remain focused and resilient.

“Your dreams matter, and your future matters. We will ensure that basic education remains a ladder of hope and progress,” he assured.

He appealed to stakeholders and alumni to recommit to ensuring that no child is denied access to quality education. His vision, he said, is that within the next 20 years, the State MA Basic Schools will regain their former prestige, making admission once again a mark of honour.

Osei concluded by urging all stakeholders to partner with courage, clarity, and conviction to elevate the State MA Basic Schools to greater heights.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the School Management Committee (SMC) disclosed that one of the key objectives of the 80th anniversary celebration is to renovate the school campuses and give them a much-needed facelift.