The Tema West Municipal Education Directorate has intensified monitoring of schools as the new academic year begins, with a focus on teacher attendance, learner participation and the implementation of the new curriculum.
As part of activities to welcome pupils back to school, Municipal Education Director, Mrs. Sophia Ako, joined the Municipal Chief Executive, Ludwig Tey Totimeh, and Member of Parliament James Enu to welcome Kindergarten Two and Basic One pupils. The children received learning materials and other items under the Assembly’s Back to School initiative.
Mrs. Ako said the gesture brought excitement to the pupils and would help ease the financial burden on parents. She said the Directorate would continue monitoring schools across communities including Lashibi, Baatsona, Sakumono and Adjei Kojo to ensure teaching and learning begin promptly.
She said officials are also working to reduce teacher absenteeism and ensure the effective implementation of the new curriculum. According to her, the Directorate is monitoring both teachers and learners and will address challenges identified during school visits.
Mrs. Ako identified inadequate fencing and flooding as some of the challenges affecting schools in the municipality. She said some unfenced school premises are vulnerable to break-ins and theft, while flooding in some schools continues to disrupt teaching and learning.
She said the Education Directorate has engaged the Tema West Municipal Assembly on the challenges, with plans being developed to address them.
Mrs. Ako also appealed to parents to ensure their children return to school, particularly teenagers. She said although most learners had reported to school, some were still staying at home, stressing that regular attendance is essential to improving learning outcomes.
She called for stronger collaboration among teachers, parents, the Municipal Assembly and other stakeholders to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning across the Tema West Municipality.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
