General News of Saturday, 19 February 2005

Source: GNA

Schools debate proposed SSS system

Sunyani (B/A) Feb 19, GNA - Sunyani Secondary School (SUSEC) emerged the winner in a debate competition organised for Senior Secondary Schools in connection with the celebration of the country's 48th Independence anniversary next month.

The debate, organised by the Ghana Education Service, was under the theme, "The proposed shift on the Senior Secondary School will be a relief to students for better performance".

Five schools in the Northern Zone, comprising Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions took part in the competition, with two students representing each school.

SUSEC won with 81 percent, followed Ghana Secondary School in Northern Region with 77.5 percent.

Ejisuman Secondary School, representing Ashanti Region had 64 percent, Saint Francis Xavier Secondary in Upper West Region, 63 percent and Bolgatanga Girls Secondary School in Upper East, 60 percent.

Sunyani Secondary and Ghana Secondary Schools spoke for the motion whilst St Francis, Bolga Girls and Ejisuman were against. The schools in favour said the expanded period would enable students to prepare adequately to pass their final examination. It would also help the students to complete their syllabus before the final examinations, they contended.

The opposing schools noted that the extension of the period would bring extra cost to parents since they could not even afford to pay tuition for the three-year period.

The extension would also make the students relent in their studies, they said.

Earlier, Mrs. Akua Akubuor Debrah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Education, said the competition was to inculcate in the students the ability to speak in public as future leaders.

She advised the students to use their time judiciously and always read widely to broaden their knowledge.