Mrs Gifty Andoh, the Headmistress of Accra Girls Senior High School (AGISS), has called upon education stakeholders to support the school in expanding critical infrastructure due to the surge in enrollment, which is straining the existing facilities and affecting effective teaching and learning.
Addressing attendees at the school's 63rd Speech and Prize Giving Day in Accra, Mrs Andoh emphasized the need for additional accommodation for resident teachers to enable effective student supervision and monitoring. She also stressed the importance of having a resident nurse to cater to students' healthcare needs.
AGISS, established in September 1960 with just twelve students, currently accommodates more than two thousand students with a teaching staff of one hundred and thirty-four.
Mrs. Andoh pointed out that AGISS operates on a transitional system, which means continuous academic activities throughout the year. This system, though beneficial, has placed significant pressure on the school's management, staff, students, and facilities. The Headmistress called for swift interventions to create more classrooms and dormitories to accommodate all the single-track schools.
Moreover, Mrs Andoh appealed to the government to provide a new vehicle for the headmistress, as the current one, over 18 years old, has become costly to maintain and is referred to as a “mobile casket.”
Mrs. Andoh expressed concerns regarding the use of mobile phones on campus, stating that the school had provided an adequate number of house phones. She called on parents to discourage their children from bringing mobile phones to school, as it is against the school's rules and regulations and negatively impacts academic performance.
The event also witnessed a fundraising initiative to support ongoing projects, as well as the presentation of prizes to commendable teaching and non-teaching staff, past students, and current students for their outstanding performances. The awards aimed to motivate the educational community to strive for excellence.
Madam Helen Ziwu, an Old Girl and Solicitor General from the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, commended the school's achievements and encouraged current students to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors. She underscored the significance of investing in girls' education for both individual development and the progress of society.
CEO of Asian African Consortium, Adelaide Siaw Agyapong, motivated students to remain determined in the face of challenges and aspire to make a positive impact on the world. Dr. Ebenezer Kakra Hammah, CEO of Mchammah Engineering Company Limited and Chairman of the ceremony, highlighted the school's contributions to shaping the lives of many Ghanaian women who have positively impacted various sectors of the economy. He encouraged students to aim high, overcome difficulties, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Quality girls' education, he emphasized, is about developing responsible, compassionate individuals who make meaningful contributions to society.
