The Bolgatanga Girls' Senior High School (BOGISS) in the Upper East Region has marked its second annual Speech and Prize Giving Day under the theme, “Girl Today, Leader Tomorrow.”

In her welcome address, the headmistress of the school, Gifty Ayamba, indicated that the occasion was not just a celebration of remarkable achievements but also a reaffirmation of their shared commitment to nurturing girls into transformative leaders of tomorrow.

She further indicated that it is a reminder that every girl who walks through the gate of the school is a seed of leadership capable of rising, influencing, and shaping society tomorrow.

She noted that upon assumption of office, her priority has been to strengthen academic discipline and create a culture of effective teaching and learning.

On the heels of this, she rolled out some initiatives to help cushion her efforts. These initiatives include: early preparation sessions requiring learners to leave their dormitories by 5 p.m. and the strict supervision of prep sessions by teachers residing on campus.

The headmistress observed that academic excellence thrives when supervision, mentorship, and structure are present, and therefore commended the teachers for wholeheartedly embracing these reforms.

The head of the institution, however, stated that despite their commitment to excellence, there are a number of challenges that militate against their efforts towards achieving excellence.

One of such challenges is the current student population of 3,176, which has outgrown the capacity of the dining hall, compelling the school to run a triple-shift track system for students.

“The capacity of the dining hall is for 950 students, as the school was built when it had a population of less than 900,” she said.

This, the headmistress complained, affects teaching and extracurricular activities, as students have their meals in turns.

She made a passionate appeal for the urgent provision of furniture and the construction of a new dining hall to suit the population of the school.

The headmistress also indicated that at one point, the school was challenged with a limited number of teachers, prompting some volunteers to step in to support.

She also appealed for these volunteers to be absorbed as permanent staff to facilitate the smooth running of the learning institution.

“We kindly request that these volunteers be considered for employment to strengthen the human resource capacity of the school and improve the overall functioning of the school,” she pleaded.

Madam Gifty stated that despite the challenges at hand, the students continue to excel, adding that the school is proud of the distinguished daughters it has produced.

“In the current parliament, two of our old girls are there: Honourable Faustina Elikplim Akurugu, MP for Dome Kwabenya; Honourable Theresa Lardi Awuni, MP for Okaikwei North; and Shiela Azuntaba, Deputy CEO of Consolidated Bank of Ghana.

“Their achievement is living proof that the girl sitting in our classroom today can become a leader of national importance tomorrow,” she concluded.

For her part, the Assistant Senior Prefect of the school, Millicent Kuni, cited inadequate furniture as a major challenge that is largely impeding their studies.

According to her, some of the students sit on the bare floor, with others leaning on broken desks during lessons.

“Some of our sisters in Form One sit on bare floors or lean on broken chairs. Imagine trying to dream big while trying to find a place to sit. It is painful, and it must change,” she cried.

Another pressing issue the Senior Prefect brought to bear was insufficient classrooms to contain the growing population of the school, a situation she described as uncomfortable.

“Our classrooms are full. Too full. The dream of learning becomes harder when you must fight for space to breathe, write, or see the board clearly,” she bemoaned.

The situation has compelled the school to convert the Science, ICT, and Food and Clothing laboratories into ordinary classrooms.

The Assistant Girls' Prefect expressed worry that the move tends to dash their dreams of becoming scientists, engineers, and innovators, as they only learn theoretically without the practical aspect, in an era where STEM and vocational skills are increasingly becoming indispensable.

“We dream of being scientists, engineers, innovators, but we learn theory without practicals,” she echoed.

The occasion was put together through the efforts and leadership of the Old Girls' Association of the school (BOGSOGA).

Students received awards in the areas of brilliance, discipline, innovation, and leadership.

The awards were sponsored by some of the old girls of the school and the Dr Kenneth Elvis Anewenah Foundation.