‘Don’t segregate students into classes based on performance’

A lecturer at the Physical Science Department of the University of Cape Coast, Professor David Kofi Essumeng, has bemoaned the segregation of students into various classes based on their level of performance.

The act, he said, normally left the weaker students in other categories, with little attention paid to them.

“The school is the first point for formal education but most schools have some level of classifications, namely classes A, B, C, D, E and others, which usually put good students in the ‘A’ category, leaving the weaker students behind,” he said.

Professor Essumeng made this known when he spoke on the theme: “Being A Change Agent In The 21st Century — Prospect And Challenges.”

He also noted that before graduates could be well fitted into society, teachers, parents and schools had to play their roles responsibly.

Graduation ceremony

Speaking at the maiden graduation ceremony of the Aboadze International School (AIS), he said the phenomenon was disturbing the educational system and was defeating the objectives of teaching.

“We need to give them equal opportunities and not discriminate against weak students. Development sometimes does not start early; it takes time,” he said.

He also appealed to teachers and parents to not train children to be money conscious, if they wanted to produce the young ones who would be agents of change.

Professor Essumeng recommended that students should be equipped with some entrepreneurial skills so they would not end up becoming unemployed graduates, as that could lead to many social vices.

Graduation

Thirty-one students who had successfully completed their basic education graduated from the school.

The occasion was also used to present prizes to students who excelled in their basic education. Master Cecil Nketia was adjudged the Overall Best Student after winning six prizes on the day.

Present at the ceremony were some past students of the school.

Aboadze International School is the third of the Volta River Authority (VRA) schools. It was established in November 1, 1999 as part of its policy to provide educational facilities at the basic level for children of workers who were engaged in the construction and management of the Aboadze Thermal Power Station.

The school currently has a population of 481 students, made up 240 boys and 241 girls.

Need to be concious

In his address, the General Manager of the VRA Schools, Mr Arnold Seshie, charged the students to be sanitation conscious and disciplined and advised parents to actively participate in the teaching of their children as well as their studies.