Mr. Freeman Gobah, Country Director of Pencils of Promise (PoP), an educational NGO, emphasized the pivotal role of efficient head teachers and vibrant Parent Associations (PAs) in ensuring successful academic work in schools.
Speaking at a stakeholders' engagement with head teachers and PA chairmen of partner schools in Ho, he asserted, “So, if a school is not performing, the head teacher and PA should be blamed.”
Mr. Gobah advised head teachers and PAs to collaborate diligently with stakeholders, including teachers, School Management Committees, and opinion leaders, to achieve positive outcomes.
He highlighted PoP's interest in the educational processes within partnership schools, focusing not only on infrastructure but also on the quality of education.
Mr. Raphael Bandim, Programmes Manager of PoP, provided insights into the organization's extensive work, operating in 86 schools across 25 districts in the Volta, Oti, and Eastern regions.
He detailed PoP's contributions, including 119 classroom blocks, 150 toilet facilities, 145 urinals, and 18,682 pieces of furniture.
Mr. Bandim also revealed the distribution of 10,300 electronic books between 2014 and 2023, with plans to reach 12 new schools in 2024, all aimed at improving literacy proficiency in basic schools.
“This will help strengthen the reading, comprehension, writing, listening, and speaking skills of learners,” Mr. Bandim stated, emphasizing the significance of well-trained, efficient, and dedicated teachers for improved student performance.
Mr. Edwin Asare, Learning and Evaluation Manager at PoP, highlighted the organization's commitment to tracking and evaluating teacher and student performance.
Ms. Margaret Mary Debre, Lead Coordinator for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) at PoP, emphasized the role of WASH programs in improving health outcomes and learner performance.
She encouraged the formation of hygiene clubs in schools to promote nutrition, food safety, healthy eating, and hygiene.
In conclusion, Mr. Asare stated, “It is only a generation that is positively empowered that would empower the world.”