Regional News of Friday, 14 January 2005

Source: GNA

School performance appraisal meeting at Akim Oda

Akim Oda, Jan. 14, GNA - A School Performance Appraisal Meeting (SPAM) to provide stake holders in education in the Birim South District detailed feed back on the state of learning achievement in public basic schools was held at Akim Oda on Friday.

The stake holders, who included Circuit Supervisors, Chiefs, Assembly members, teachers and parents, was to identify and discuss problems affecting basic schools in the district, set targets and design strategies to achieve the targets set.

In an address, the District Director of Education, Mrs Stella K. Nanor said a critical analysis of last year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results showed marked improvement over the previous years.

"For the first time in the decade, the district recorded the highest number of aggregate six achievers and a marked improvement in the performances of the girl-child", she said. Mrs Nanor further disclosed that 12 candidates had aggregate six out of which were seven girls and said "it was a girl who made grade one in all ten subjects."

She said 19 schools recorded 100 per cent in 2004 as compared to only six schools in 2003, five in 2002, four 2001 and five in 2000, respectively.

Mr Kwame Ackon, Assistant Director of Education in-charge of Supervision, also said more than half of the schools, which took part in BECE in 2004 had 50 per cent and above passes as against 2003 and the previous years.

He said the over-all percentage for the year under review was 55 per cent as against 53.5 per cent in the previous year and expressed appreciation to schools, members of staff and candidates, who worked tirelessly to achieve 100 per cent passes. The Acting District Chief Executive, Mr Yaw Amprofi also commended the District Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) on their effective supervisory role, which he noted, had brought about much improvement in the performance of schools.

At the end of the meeting, the participants agreed that if all stakeholders in education would play their respective roles effectively, there would be much improvement in the quality of teaching and learning in schools. Jan. 14, 05