Agona SDA School achieved remarkable success at a recent durbar held in front of the Agona Chief's Palace to honour outstanding students in the municipality.

The durbar, attended by key figures including chiefs, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), the Member of Parliament (MP), the Municipal Director of Education, students, and teachers, aimed to motivate learners across the municipality.

This event followed an assessment organised by the municipal directorate for basic school pupils, involving over 2,800 students, designed to evaluate and encourage academic performance.

Students from Agona SDA School secured the first, second, and third positions, an achievement celebrated by all attendees. The top five performing students received awards during the ceremony.

Awards included cash prizes, medals, books, and certificates. Kwaku Owusu Agyei, the top student, received GH¢2,000, 60 exercise books, a medal, a certificate, and other gifts. Grace Fordjour, in second place, received GH¢1,700, 40 exercise books, a medal, a certificate, and other items. Edward Ayarkwa, the third-place winner, received GH¢1,500, 40 exercise books, a medal, a certificate, and other items. The fourth and fifth students each received GH¢500, in addition to exercise books and medals.

Solomon Owusu, the Municipal Director of Education, the champion of the initiative, stated that it aimed to "encourage dedicated preparation by teachers, students, and parents alike, leading to enhanced performance in standardised exams."

According to Owusu, "the competition's impact extended beyond simply identifying top students. Teachers adopted new teaching methods, schools adjusted their approaches, and students dedicated themselves to rigorous study, demonstrating a collective effort towards academic excellence." He added that the competition covered subjects such as Mathematics, English, and Science.

The Director commended Agona SDA School and its students for their unprecedented achievement in securing the top three positions.

"This success reflects the school's commitment and dedication to academic excellence. The competition also served as a valuable preparation tool for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), motivating students to consistently strive for improvement rather than waiting for the last minute," he said.

Owusu explained that the selection process involved head teachers nominating their three best candidates based on internal assessments. "Questions were set and marked by senior high school teachers, who provided detailed reports and feedback. Circuit-level competitions were then held to identify the top performers, ultimately culminating in the overall municipal competition where the SDA JHS dominated."

Following the Director's address, the honoured students expressed their gratitude, thanking their teachers for their support and guidance.

Speaking on behalf of the students, the overall winner, Kwaku Owusu Agyei Amofa, stated that "the victory means a lot to us, and it is a stepping stone for us to excel in our subsequent tasks."

Pandit Asamoah, headmaster of Agona SDA Basic School, expressed gratitude to all invited dignitaries on behalf of the school. He praised Municipal Education Director Solomon Owusu for initiating the competition, which he credited with revitalising both students and teachers.

"This victory will motivate the school to do more," he stated, adding, "We are not going to be complacent but make sure the students and teachers do more."

Asamoah concluded by appealing to philanthropists and blessed individuals to assist the school with its overcrowded building facilities, stating that the current student enrollment far exceeds the available infrastructure.