NAVASCO to be given a facelift

21-03-2010 NAVASCO to be given a facelift

Narration: Various facilities for students and staff of the Navrongo Senior High School (NAVASCO) at Navrongo in the Upper East Region are to be carried out soon to give the school a facelift. Negotiations are therefore underway with the Ministry of Education and the GETfund Secretariat in that direction. The Kassena-Nankana East District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Emmanuel Andema, who made the disclosure at the launch of the school’s Golden Jubilee anniversary at Navrongo, said government is committed to ensuring that education is given its rightful place to, merits its worth in national development. The occasion which was heavily attended by government officials, chiefs, heads of decentralized departments and institutions, municipal and district directors of education among others was on the theme:’ “Navasco, 50 years of true light.” Isaac Asare was at the launch and has filed this report for Radio Ghana.

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Report

The Navrongo Senior High School, popularly known as “Navasco “was established in 1960 by the first President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, to serve not only the people of Navrongo but also students from the northern and upper regions. The school which is situated on a one-mile square land, started with only 67 students and now has a student population of 1,287 students offering programmes such as home economics, Agriculture, General Arts and science, Business and Visual Arts. The school despite its numerous challenges over the years has never compromise on its academic standards and dominance in other extra-curricular activities including sports, debates and other national competitions. Last year, the school had a 100 percent pass in the WASSCE results with 221 out of 391 students gaining admission into the various tertiary institutions across the country. Launching the anniversary, Mr. Andema pledged government continuous support to the school in order to give it a facelift. The DCE encouraged the students to take the mantle of leadership in the society since the task ahead is quite challenging and requires a lot of dedication, determination and commitment to succeed. The Pro-vice Chancellor, UDS, Prof. David Miller, who spoke on behalf of the Board chairman of the school appealed to past students to rise up and assist their alma mater. Prof Miller urged students and staff of the school to remain discipline in order to create a congenial atmosphere for effective teaching and learning. He also cautioned students against the use of drugs and other substance that are inimical to their health. On his part,the headmaster of the school, Mr. Patrick Tangonyire, mentioned inadequate water supply, lack of classroom furniture and students’ beds, as well as staff accommodation as some of the numerous challenges confronting the school. Mr. Tangonyire called on the support of the government and other relevant stakeholder to render their continuous support to the development of the school to enhance its academic performance, which he said has been good over the years. The Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Kofi Adda through the NPP Constituency Chairman, donated a set of football jersey and musical instruments for the school. He pledged to provide the school with extra street lights and one hundred foldable chairs for use by the school and urged all and sundry to contribute their widow’s mites, in ensuring a successful 50th anniversary celebration, come October. About 5,000 Ghana Cedis was later realized at the end of an appeal for funds towards the construction of a modern school library and an ICT center for the school.