By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Tema, April 28, GNA – The Headmistress of Chemu Senior High School, Tema, Mrs Vicentia Kyere Anin-Agyei, has highlighted some challenges facing the school, including accommodation issues for both students and staff.
Speaking to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education during a monitoring visit on Monday, she emphasised the need for a boarding facility to enhance academic progress, particularly for students commuting from outside the Tema enclave.
“We have students who come from far and wide, and as a day school, we really need a boarding facility to support their academic progress,” she said.
This challenge was underscored by the case of three students who became pregnant while cohabiting due to long commuting distances.
The three students wrote the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) last year, the headmistress revealed.
The Committee’s monitoring visit is scheduled from Monday April 28 to Friday May 02, 2025, to some selected Senior High Schools and Private Universities as part of their oversight responsibilities.
Mrs Anin-Agyei, also raised concerns about staff accommodation, revealing that only nine apartments were available for 105 staff members.
“I have engaged the Tema Development Corporation, the PTA, and I have written to the Ministry of Education to address this issue…I currently live in a rented apartment,” she added.
Despite these challenges, the school has recorded some achievements, including success in the National Science and Maths Quiz competition and other metropolitan competitions.
The school also runs an academic clinic for final-year students preparing for the WASSCE, guided by experts.
The Vice Chair of the Education Committee of Parliament, Mr Joseph Kwame Kumah, also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Kintampo North, appreciated the headmistress’s input, stating, “We appreciate your input and gathering some of these information to inform policy.”
The Regional Director of Education, Greater Accra Region, Hajia Katuma Nantogmah Attah (Mrs), also called for qualified teachers to teach social studies in the school.
The school’s Internal Generated Fund (IGF) comes from the sale of water and hiring of the assembly hall.
However, funding releases have been irregular, with the last one received in 2024, affecting operations, including payment for the caterer, who has been absent for two weeks.
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