The Vice-Chancellor, Professor William O. Ellis, has launched the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Senior High School under the theme: "50 years of academic discipline and steady academic progression" in a colourful ceremony.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor W. O. Ellis, expressed gratitude to Management of the school for imparting the spirit of discipline and diligence into students."The nation needs disciplined people to man its affairs", he noted. Adding that, 50 years of academic pursuit is an enviable achievement.
Professor Ellis intimated that, the cordial relationship that exists between the University and the SHS would grow from strength to strength. He therefore, cherished the school as one of the best ten (10) schools in Ashanti Region, and urged Management not to relent in its quest of achieving academic excellence.
He lauded the students for putting up good behaviour over the years, particularly devoid of engaging in any form of riot or demonstration against authority. He advised students to live beyond reproach, to remain disciplined and work hard to fulfill their goals in life.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Mayor of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Honourable Samuel Sarpong, congratulated Management and other stakeholders of the school on its phenomenal successes, especially in the area of academic performance.
Honourable Sarpong disclosed that, Government is poised to facilitate infrastructural development in public Senior High Schools to enhance quality teaching in the educational sector; consequently, the KNUST SHS would have its fair share of the Government's project.
On her part, the Headmistress of the KNUST SHS, Mrs. Joyce Owusu-Ansah, was full of praise to Management of the University for the continued support. She appealed to Government and GETFund in particular to make funds available for the completion of the school's new building currently under construction.
Touching on academic performance, she disclosed that 44.1% of 513 students in 2008 qualified for tertiary education; in 2009, 66.4% of 528 qualified. Mrs. Owusu-Ansah was confident that, about 80% will qualify for tertiary education in the year 2011 and 100% in 2012.
She appealed to the KMA, Board of Governors, PTA and the Old Students' Association to come to the aid of the school in constructing a dining hall for students and staff bungalows. She disclosed that the school had been experiencing an increase numerically, since its inception in 1961, and estimated the current student population at 1,900.
The launching ceremony attracted some prominent old students including: Professor Armstrong Donkoh, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture; Dr. Kofi Annan, Head of Department of Herbal Medicine, KNUST; Dr. Divine Ahadzi, Lecturer at the Department of Planning; Representative of Old Students' Association and Parent-Teacher-Association (PTA).
In another related development, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor W.O Ellis, performed the launching ceremony of the 14th Annual celebration of Ashanti Regional Students' Representative Council under the theme: "Students partnership; pre-requisite for promoting quality education delivery", which brought together student leaders from all the senior high schools in the Region.
In his keynote address, Professor Ellis was optimistic that SHSs in the Region would become the best institutions in Ghana. He therefore, urged student leaders to use appropriate channels in seeking redress for their grievances so as to maintain a peaceful academic environment. "The image of an institution has an effect on the value of the institution's certificate", he noted.
Professor Ellis reminded the students to stay focused in school by taking their studies seriously in pursuit of their respective leadership roles. He expressed satisfaction over students' unrest which has reduced to the barest minimum. He urged the student leaders to live exemplary lives for their colleagues to emulate.
A citation of honour was presented to Professor Ellis by the Council. Among some dignitaries who graced the occasion were: Mr. E.K. Yeboah, Headmaster of Prempeh College; Mr. J.K. Onyinah, Ashanti Regional Director of Education; Lt. Col. A. Amadu Mahama, Head of Armed Forces SHS; Mr. A.W. Nantwi, Chairman of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and Mr. Richmond Oteng Frimpong, Regional Secretary of NAGRAT.
