Students of Aggrey Memorial A.M.E. Zion School have raised concerns about congestion in dormitories and called for urgent infrastructural support.
Reiterating the call, the Girls’ Prefect, Maame Doku Blay, lamented the severe congestion in the boarding facilities, noting that some students had resorted to sleeping in corridors, posing security challenges. She added that the overcrowding left students vulnerable to communicable diseases.
She urged authorities to prioritize the construction of additional dormitory blocks and the provision of more boreholes and water storage tanks to address frequent water shortages.
85th Anniversary
During the school’s 85th anniversary celebration last Saturday, students renewed their call for additional infrastructure, particularly dormitories, to ease congestion.
The Headmistress, Dorothy Adentwi-Hayford, also appealed for urgent infrastructural support to address challenges affecting academics and student life.
The anniversary, themed “Building on 85 Years of Quality Education: The Role of Stakeholders,” brought together government officials, alumni, students, and well-wishers. It served as a platform for school authorities to appeal for critical logistical and infrastructural support to enhance academic activities and students’ welfare.
Mrs. Adentwi-Hayford noted that despite the school’s reputation for academic excellence, it faced critical infrastructural deficits due to an ever-growing student population, which now stands at almost 5,000.
She expressed concern over congestion in classrooms and dormitories, emphasizing that “the school requires a 28-unit classroom block to create a more conducive learning environment.”
She also highlighted the need for additional staff accommodation, pointing out that “a lack of on-campus housing makes it difficult for teachers to effectively supervise students and maintain discipline.”
She further raised concerns about the dining hall, which can only accommodate 1,000 students at a time, forcing many to wait for long hours before accessing meals.
Security and Transportation Challenges
Beyond infrastructure, Mrs. Adentwi-Hayford said security remained a major challenge. She noted that only seven security personnel were available to oversee the entire campus, including dormitories, staff quarters, and the main school gate, making it difficult to ensure the safety of students and staff. She appealed for more security personnel to strengthen safety measures.
Additionally, she highlighted transportation difficulties, stating that the school urgently needed a 65-seater bus to ease pressure on the existing fleet.
She also called for the refurbishment of the library, urging stakeholders to restock it with modern books and digital learning resources to enhance academic performance.
Academic Performance and Interventions
Speaking on the school’s academic performance, Mrs. Adentwi-Hayford acknowledged that the most recent West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results fell below expectations, with only 673 students obtaining grades between A1 and C6.
To address this, the school’s management has implemented strategic measures, including extended teaching hours, supervised study periods, and model classes, all aimed at improving student outcomes. She expressed confidence that these initiatives would help uplift the school from a Grade B to a Grade A institution.
Anniversary Contributions and Promises
The event was spearheaded by the 2000 Year Group of the old students’ association, which handed over a newly constructed 10-seater washroom facility as a legacy project. The group had previously improved the school’s water supply system and upgraded its milling facility.
Addressing the ceremony, the Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, pledged his support, assuring that his office would collaborate with the school’s leadership to improve infrastructure and operational efficiency.
He revealed that discussions were underway to provide the school with a generator to help curb the effects of power outages. He reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding infrastructure in senior high schools and phasing out the double-track system to ensure a smoother academic calendar.
Adding to the calls for development, an alumnus and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prof. James K. Aikins, encouraged students to embrace technology and innovation while upholding the school’s core values of discipline, integrity, and leadership.
He emphasized the need for students to balance modern educational advancements with the school’s longstanding traditions of excellence.
The Global President of Aggrey Memorial Old Students Association (AMOSA), Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, urged students to take good care of the school’s facilities and remain focused on their studies to improve academic performance and uphold the institution’s legacy.
As part of efforts to support the school, the 1985 Year Group donated office equipment worth GH¢100,000 to enhance administrative efficiency and improve operations.
The anniversary celebration featured an impressive march-past by the school’s army cadet and an exhibition showcasing the school’s achievements over the decades.