Pupils of Akurabadze Catholic Basic School in the Central Region have received a major educational boost following a landmark donation of learning materials and the announcement of a new scholarship scheme by Nana Egyir Aggrey I, Chief of Akurabadze and Sanahene of the Anomabo Traditional Area.
The donation, delivered this week, included over 1,200 exercise books, 180 full school uniform sets, 90 school bags, sets of core subject textbooks for all Primary and JHS levels, hundreds of pens, pencils, mathematical sets, and teaching aids for the school’s 12 teaching staff.
The intervention comes at a time when the school, with 210 pupils, had only 32 shared textbooks, with many pupils learning without proper stationery or uniforms.
Speaking to students, staff, parents and officials from the Mfantseman Municipal Education Directorate, Nana Egyir Aggrey I said the gesture is the first phase of a multi-year education support programme launched for the community last year.
“Every child in this community deserves the same chance to dream big as children anywhere else in this country,” he said. “I grew up in this area, I know what it means to sit in class without a textbook, to miss school because you do not have a uniform. No child should ever be sent home from class because of something as simple as a notebook.”
The highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of a dedicated scholarship scheme for final-year JHS pupils. Under the scheme, any student who sits the BECE in 2026 and beyond and gains admission to Adisadel College, Aggrey Memorial SHS or St. Augustine’s SHS will receive full coverage of admission fees, boarding costs, learning materials and a yearly stipend for the entire duration of senior high school, plus mentorship and career guidance.
The Chief also called on parents to complement the investment with support at home.
“These books and bags will only go so far if a child is sent to school hungry, if they are up late doing chores instead of studying, if no one asks them what they learned in class each day,” he said. “Education is a partnership. The school provides the teaching, I provide the tools, but you provide the care, the encouragement, and the discipline that turns a pupil into a successful graduate.”
Officials from the Ghana Education Service praised the initiative, noting that targeted community-led support delivers significant improvements in attendance and BECE pass rates in rural schools.
The school’s PTA has announced plans to launch a regular study group programme for JHS pupils to maximize the impact of the new resources and scholarship opportunity.
Source: Douglas Oyiboh Amponsah
