Madam Gladys Lebene Kuetuadu, the Assistant Headmistress Administration of Accra Girls Senior High School (SHS), has highlighted several challenges facing the school, despite its achievements in academic and co-curricular activities.
Madam Kuetuadu, spoke on behalf of Mrs Gifty Andoh, the Headmistress, on Monday when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education paid a visit to the school, and emphasised the need for support to address these challenges.
The Committe’s monitoring visit scheduled from Monday April 28 to Friday May 02, 2025, to some selected SHS and Private Universities in the Greater Accra Region, aimed to expose challenges and improve the education sector.
Madam Kuetuadu, cited inadequate washroom facilities as a major challenge facing the school, explaining that a stalled GETFund project had left the institution with only 12 toilets for 615 students, leading to health concerns.
Furthur, she told the Committee that an outdated 60-year-old Science laboratory needed refurbishment and expansion, to accommodate the growing number of students.
Touching on transportation, she said the Headmistress’ office required a new vehicle to replace the 19-year-old Nissan Pick-up, which frequently breaks down.
On other infrastructural needs, she said the school needed an expanded Assembly Hall, a modern library, and staff accommodation to enhance teaching and learning. Again, the school lacked access to internet connectivity for students to effectively utilise their tablets, she said.
Madam Kuetuadu, therefore called for government support for funding to complete the stalled GETFund project and support infrastructure development.
She also urged the Ministry of Education to assist the school with internet connectivity, staff accommodation, and modern facilities to promote academic excellence.
“We are proud of our achievements, but we need support to address these challenges and become the best school in the region,” Madam Kuetuadu.
Among the achievements of the school are: 95.4 per cent pass rate in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with 83.1 per cent of students qualifying for tertiary education.
“With co-curricular Activities, students participated in the National Science and Mathematics quiz, reaching the one-sixteenth stage after a decade. They also performed during World Women’s Day at the Jubilee House and the CAF Championship opening and closing ceremonies,” the Assistant Headmistress Administration told the Committee.
Alhaji Muhammad Bawah Braimah, a member of the Committee and the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Ejura Sekyeredumase, urged other schools to emulate Accra Girls’ practice of putting up staff accommodation using IGF.
Mr Seth Vondee, the Accountant of Accra Girls’ Senior High School, highlighted there had been an increase in feeding fees, from GH¢5.20 pesewas in 2015 to GH¢7.50 pesewas as of January 2025.
The committee urged the contractor to complete the stalled washroom project.
Source: GNA
