Kpando, May 24, GNA- Mr. Alex Narh Tetteh-Enyo, Minister of Education on Saturday disclosed that decentralization of appointments to positions of Directorship and Headship of schools would be reconsidered when the Education Governing Council was fully reconstituted and operational.

He said the reconstituted Education Council would explore short circuiting some of its sector policies that are adverse to the advancement and attainment of quality education, including appointments. Mr. Tetteh-Enyo made this disclosure in a keynote address at the 56th Speech and Prize Giving Day ,which coincided with the sending-off ceremony for final year students of Kpando Senior High School, at Kpando.

It was under the theme; "Responsible Parenting and Teacher Professionalism: Key to Quality Education." He said government was keen and committed to the attainment of quality education and making the sector a real tool for national development.

Mr. Tetteh-Enyo therefore called on parents and teachers to re-examine their positions and roles in matters relating to the education of children to secure quality tutoring for them. He said a qualitative educational system should advance the frontiers of knowledge, make the child efficient, reasonably self-sufficient and capable of enjoying a high standard of living. The Education Minister, also Member of Parliament (MP) for Ada added that responsible parenting goes beyond money and material provisions, which rather entailed keen interest in the child's progress, providing guidance and counseling as well as inculcating moral, religious and traditional values for self-esteem and confidence. Mr Tetteh-Enyo noted that, central to the attainment of quality education is teacher professionalism and accountability, which he described not only as instructor but a motivator, agent of change, counsellor, parent, role model and mentor. "It is imperative that the teacher stimulated and encouraged the child's interest rather than crush all initiatives in the child", he added.

Mr Tetteh-Enyo pledged government's resolve towards translating its commitment into practical means for the improvement of infrastructure in schools.

Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister appealed to the Ministry of Education to harness the expertise of teachers fully by exploring opportunities of pegging the retirement age at 65 years. He said the sector could derive maximum benefits from this suggestion to better the fortunes and expectations in the education enterprise for nation- building, when those categories of teachers were given extension to serve.

Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs urged students to be studious and eschew social vices like smoking, indiscipline, alcoholism and computer fraud, christened "Sakawa". She paid glowing tribute to the pioneering fathers of the school and asked students to justify the huge investments being made in them by government and their parents.

Mr Geoffrey J. Bissi, Headmaster of the School said students' population rose to 1030 from a humble beginning of nine students in 1953 with current staff position being 54 teachers and 58 non-teaching staff comprising administrators, labourers, artisans, kitchen staff and securitymen.

He said the School continued to pose a marked improvement over the years with the 2008 WASSCE recording a 100 percent pass, indicating that 130 out of 320 candidates obtained a pass in all eight subjects representing 40 percent.

Mr Bissi said eight and 72 candidates passed seven and six subjects respectively, which meant that 260 out of 320 candidates passed in six or more subjects representing 81.3 percent.

He said tremendous successes were chalked in co-curricular activities such as sports and games, debates and cultural activities. Mr Bissi disclosed that since 1993 the School did not attract any infrastructural project but for its Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), which constructed a semi-detached bungalow, the expansion of girl's dormitory, fencing of the School's frontage and a generating power plant.

He appealed to major stakeholders, including the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) to urgently construct, at least a six-unit cluster for staff accommodation, tar the 1.5-kilometre road network in the school, construct additional classrooms and complete work on its assembly/dining hall, which was started in 1978.

Mr Bissi commended the School's PTA and Kpando Old Students Association (KOSA) for their continued and sterling support and admonished final year students to be worthy ambassadors and be guided by school's motto; "Be Truthful and Shine" in future engagements. A total of 51 academic and 27 meritorious awards and prizes were bestowed on students, staff and friends of the School with Kennedy Nyavor, Edwin Agbenu and Courage Armah receiving the Best Academic awards in the third, second and first years.

Ernestina Amoaku and Godwin Kudadze were adjudged Best Behaved students. All received books, cash and certificates as awards.