Commissioning of 6-unit classroom block.
Many schools that were labeled third class are gradually being transformed into first-class schools due to the implementation of the free Senior High School (SHS) policy, the Headmaster of Vakpo Secondary Technical School has disclosed.
According to Humphrey Krom, prior to the Free SHS policy, his school and many others struggled to survive, adding that they were abandoned by government, parents, students and the community.
He said, “Free SHS policy has brought equity to the secondary level and now, we are also like the first-class school, receiving attention from many people.”
The Assistant Headmaster in-charge of Academics, Alfred Asiadze also stressed that “the free SHS policy is a good thing, it must be continued because it has made a deprived school like us attractive with old projects immediately receiving attention.”
The two officials noted that before free SHS policy, the entire population was about 360.
After the third-year students left, we were just 230. However, with free SHS policy, the population has jumped to 560, as we got 330 new students.
“Although the increase in enrollment is good, we have few classrooms and dormitories for the boys, as the 400-bed capacity boys’ dormitory is 70% complete. The school is therefore converting two large classrooms into dormitories to accommodate the boys.
He, however, noted that the school has 400-capacity girls’ dormitory to accommodate many girls.
“In fact, if the boys’ dormitory is completed, we can increase our school’s population to about 800,” Mr. Asiadze stressed.
He praised the government for fast-tracking the construction of a six-unit classroom project abandoned for about 10 years.
The North Dayi District Chief Executive (DCE), Edmund Attah Kudjoh in consultation with his District Engineer, the GETFund, consultant and contractor temporarily handed over the project to the school for use recently.
It has big staff common room convertible into a classroom, two offices and toilet facility for both students and teachers.
The consultant for the project, Love Asiwome of Procurement and Project Management Consulting (PPMC), noted that any defects detected after six months would be brought to the attention of the contractor, MOJECKO Construction Limited to rectify.
The DCE, Attah Kudjoh, praised the contractor, who is yet to be paid, for taking over the project, which was abandoned for close to a decade and completing it within a year.
He urged the school to take good care of the facility and do everything possible to complete the boys’ dormitory within the shortest possible time.
Mr Kudjoh used the opportunity to warn all schools in the district to ensure good maintenance culture.
“Good maintenance will mean more projects, poor maintenance will mean less projects,” he emphasized.
From Fred Duodu, Vakpo (freduoo@gmail.com)