The Minister of Education is urging Grade "A" schools to learn to accept children with low grades and help them develop into good students capable of passing the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). That, according to Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, is the most accurate means of determining how good these schools are. The Minister noted that receiving the top Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) pupils and scoring good WASSCE scores does not make them the finest schools. He was speaking at the launch of the University of Cape Coast during 60 celebrations in Cape Coast.
However, he claims that taking in pupils with low grades and helping them pass the WASSCE will set the schools apart.
"There are places where teachers are voicing their dissatisfaction. Why are you bringing pupils who have a combined grade point average of 20? I had a nice talk with a very high-ranking man. "One day, he called me and asked, 'Why are you sending children to PRESEC with an aggregate of 20?' "I believe PRESEC has one of the best sets of professors in the country," I added, and he started.
"Yes, it's true," the man answered, according to Dr. Adutwum. 'That's where I go to school.' "They are examiners, and they are extremely competent," the man added. "Yes, sir," I replied, "and because they are examiners and are extremely good, they are the ones who are willing to instruct people who have an aggregate of 25 and so on." Dr. Osei Adutwum noted that the idea that pupils with a cumulative grade point average of 25 should not attend PRESEC perplexes him. He was sure that pupils like these should be assigned to schools like Wesley Girls, where great professors are available. "So, if Wesley Girls wants to show me that they are the best, that they have the finest teachers, and that they are the best school, they need to enrol pupils with a 20-point average." and turn them around so they can tell us they're superior than Jachie Pramso's famed school." "So when Mighty JAPASS takes in aggregate 30 and 40, and the students don't do well, they say, look at them," he continued. They aren't all that great. When we send the brightest BECE students to Grade A schools and they pass, they brag about how great their school is and how great their teachers are. They must also demonstrate this with such pupils," he remarked.
He believes that now is the time to bring everyone on board to assist mould, shape, and mentor such students; to bring all people, regardless of where they were born, into a talent pool, hoist them up, and show them that their future is brighter.
"Some children may have never seen a Water Closet (WC), and believe me when I say they are starving for information. They think that education is their only hope for the future, and they will be the greatest our country has to offer if you bring them in, mentor, and guide them. I never been to Mfantsipim, Adisadel, or any of the other places. So I ended up in Jachie Pramso, and here I am," he explained.
Prof. Johnson Nyarko-Boampong, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, believes the university's collective image as an institution is currently high, and the university's reputation is very good across the sub-region and around the world. He remarked that a university is recognised not only for its academic quality but also as a leader in higher education on a worldwide scale.
"All of these accomplishments would not have been possible without the combined efforts and sacrifices of junior staff, senior staff, and senior personnel, including those who have retired from active duty and those who have passed," he continued.
"As the Vice-Chancellor of this great institution, I see this as a sign of even greater things to come, and it's critical that we work harder to overcome our challenges so that we can maintain our enviable position as Ghana's top-ranked university and a global leader in terms of research influence," he added. The 60th anniversary cake of the university was cut to begin the activities earmarked for the celebration.
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