University JHS Celebrates 30th Anniversary

The University Junior High School (JHS) has celebrated its 30th anniversary and 17th Speech and Prize- Giving Day with a call on teachers and parents to help train children to perfectly fit into society in the face of technology advancement. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, who made the call, noted that with the proliferation of technology, children learn a lot of things by themselves through the usage of smart phones to readily access websites, emails and other social media networking sites. In the light of this development, Prof. Ampiah implored parents and teachers- who he referred to as the main agents of socialisation- to play their assigned roles effectively in moulding the children entrusted to their care, to become useful citizens. The Vice-Chancellor gave these admonishments in a speech read on his behalf by Prof. Ernest K. Davis, the Dean of School of Educational Development Outreach, during the 30th anniversary and 17th Speech and Prize- Giving Day of the UJHS. The anniversary was on the theme, "Moulding a Responsible Citizen Amidst Today's Technological Advancement." Prof. Ampiah further advised parents to inculcate good ethical and moral values of punctuality, responsiveness, diligence, and respect in their children. That, he stressed, could be achieved if parents adopt healthy lifestyles worthy of emulation. Speaking further, Prof. Ampiah urged teachers to remain steadfast in the war against the negative use of technology by children. The Vice-Chancellor again pointed out that if members of the teaching fraternity renege on their responsibility to train children to become respectful citizens, posterity would blame them for their (the teachers) unprofessional conduct. On her part, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Kate Frimpong, reported that the school has retained its enviable first position on the Cape Coast Metropolis Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) League Table. She pointed out that, "In 2016, our school 'A' maintained its first position, School 'B' placed 3rd, 'C' placed 6th, 'D' placed 10th while School 'E' took the 36th position out of 96 schools. " On Sports, she indicated that the school won two out of the five trophies at the 4th edition of the Public Universities' Basic Schools' Sports Festival held at Tarkwa. She catalogued some major challenges the school faces including inadequate infrastructure, lack of a school library and science laboratory, and poor student enrollment and staffing. Mrs. Frimpong also lauded past students of the School for their continuing support and urged them to be good ambassadors. The Headmistress paid glowing tribute to past headmasters, mistresses and members of staff of the school for their selfless service. The Omanhene of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, who was the Special Guest for the occasion, advised the students to abide by the school's rules and regulations and eschew bad company. Osabarima Kwesi Atta II asked the students to acknowledge God in all their ways so as to achieve academic excellence. He further encouraged the students to be proud of their culture and to discard the notion that foreign cultures are superior to the long-lived Ghanaian cultures. The 1990s and 2000s batches of the school's Old Students Association (UNIJOSA) donated some valuable items to the school, including a set of furniture, public address system and cash donations. Hardworking teachers and students of the school were presented with awards at the ceremony.