Sekondi (Sekondi), 7 Dec.’98 – Mr Yusif Effah, Western Regional Director of Education, yesterday explained that the Senior Secondary School (SSS) level does not form part of the Free Compulsory Basic Education (FCUBE) programme. He said many parents have the wrong notion that they do not have to pay fees at the SSS level. Mr Effah said the FCUBE programme involves only pupils in the basic education level and aims at making education accessible and efficient as well as improving teaching and learning. He was addressing the 46th Speech and Prize Giving Day of St John’s School in Sekondi. Mr Effah warned that students whose parents refuse to pay their fees will not be registered for their final examination. Mr Kwadwo Afful, Headmaster, said the school’s percentage of passes in English language improved from 31 per cent in 1993 to 65 per cent in 1997. Mr Afful said the school has no physics laboratory, adding that all the benches in the old building have been destroyed by termites. He appealed to parents and guardians to take keen interest in the education of their wards by assisting the school to solve its staff accommodation problem and to provide decent toilet facilities for the students. The Right Rev. John M. Darko, Catholic Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi, said selfishness and materialism have eroded spiritual values and called on the youth to lead the fight against this. He advised the students to work hard and to be disciplined, obedient and humble because “no brush rowdy and unruly individual in the formation stage can grow to belcome an effective leader some day”. Master Thomas Beyendow, senior prefect, in his report said the louvres in the classrooms have all been stolen while facilities in the school are in a dilapidated state. He appealed to the old students association and other benevolent individuals and organisations to assist and provide the school with over-head water tanks and other amenities. Master Adu Dankwa, a first year student of the school, received a three year scholarship for being the overall best science student. Other students and members of staff received book prizes.
