Abuakwa State College in Ghana is facing significant infrastructural challenges, including an uncompleted ICT laboratory block, inadequate classrooms, and a shortage of 23 teachers. The school's Headmaster, Eric Hanson Adjei-Sarpong, revealed these challenges at the school's 61st Speech and Prize-Giving Day. The event was held on the theme, "Discipline: A Critical Tool for Holistic Development in the 21st Century". The college currently has an enrolment of 2,762 students.
The introduction of the Free Senior High School policy has contributed to an increase in enrolment at the college, resulting in congestion in classrooms, dormitories, and the dining hall. Despite the school's use of the academic transition calendar, the growing population has put pressure on available resources. The school has a staff strength of 189, comprising 124 teachers and 65 non-teaching staff, but only 34 are accommodated on campus. The remaining staff members commute daily from nearby communities.
The college requires additional infrastructure to address congestion and improve academic work. The Headmaster appealed for a 12-unit boys' dormitory block, a 12-unit classroom block, and the rehabilitation of the old dining hall or construction of a multi-purpose hall with a seating capacity of 300. He also called for the completion of the ICT facilities and the provision of functional computers. These infrastructural challenges have been exacerbated by the activities of illegal mining operations close to the school.
The illegal mining activities, popularly known as "galamsey", have made teaching and learning difficult due to the noise generated by the equipment. The Headmaster appealed to the Abuakwa Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) to intervene and address the situation to safeguard lives and property. He also called on the government, educational stakeholders, and benevolent organisations to support the school in addressing its infrastructural challenges.
Despite the challenges, the college has continued to make academic progress. However, some students have recorded disappointing results in this year's West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The subjects in which students performed poorly include Core Mathematics, Elective Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Literature in English, and Integrated Science. The Headmaster commended the teachers for their commitment and dedication to imparting knowledge.
The Deputy Director-General in charge of Management Services at the Ghana Education Service (GES), Professor Smile Gavua Dzisi, urged parents to work closely with teachers to promote discipline among students. She emphasised that effective character formation required cooperation between parents, teachers, and other stakeholders. Professor Dzisi also called on parents not to take the law into their own hands or attack teachers when their children were disciplined for misconduct.
The Vice-Chancellor of Garden City University, Professor Eric Kwasi Ofori, who chaired the function, reminded students that discipline, commitment, consistency, and continuous learning were essential to becoming responsible future leaders. He identified good character, critical thinking, creativity, digital responsibility, innovation, and the willingness to take responsibility for one's future as important qualities students needed to develop. The college was established in 1937 as a preparatory institution to prepare Ghanaian students for the Junior Cambridge examinations.
Key points
- The college faces a shortage of 23 teachers, with Physics, Government, Social Studies, General Science, History, and Religious Studies among the subject areas most affected.
- The school requires a 12-unit boys' dormitory block, a 12-unit classroom block, and the rehabilitation of the old dining hall or construction of a multi-purpose hall with a seating capacity of 300.
- The college has an enrolment of 2,762 students, comprising 1,492 males and 1,270 females.
