The Faith Presbyterian Basic School, Madina, Accra has celebrated its 20 years anniversary with a renewed pledge to promote accessible and quality education in the host community and beyond.
The celebration was on the theme: “Empowering Generations through Perseverance: 20 years of Developing Heads, Hearts and Hands into the Future”.
The school, a non-profit establishment, has for the past 20 years left a legacy of instilling moral discipline, academic training, and spiritual impartation in collaboration with the church.
Rev Emmanuel Okyere, the Minister in Charge of Faith Presbyterian Church, and the Manager of the school who made the pledge in an address said the Church has prioritized supporting community education irrespective of the religious denomination of learners.
He added that less than 30 per cent of the students at the school are Presbyterians.
Rev Okyere explained that, as the church sustains its educational campaign in the community, learners are imparted with Christian values which provide moral guidance as they grow into adulthood.
He indicated that the church has instituted scholarship schemes to boost enrollment for brilliant but needy students of the community.
He acknowledged the tireless and selfless efforts of all stakeholders over the years who played their part in bringing the vision to fruition.
Rev. Okyere noted that the 20-year journey has not been easy as it marked by moments of uncertainty, times of limited resources, and slow progress among others.
“In spite of these challenges, perseverance carried us along because to us, perseverance is choosing purpose over comfort, hope over fears and vision over limitations,” the Manager pointed out.
He expressed commendation to the selfless dedication to duty of all teachers, past and present, who never gave up when conditions were difficult.
He further commended the partnership and support of parents of the vision that has been nurtured over the years till this milestone was achieved.
He mentioned that the church leadership continues to provide spiritual and moral covering over the years, describing it as a central and firm basis for the school’s growth.
“For two decades, this school has pursued academic excellence, teaching not only what to think but how to think,” he observed.
The Minister of the Church admonished all stakeholders to remain anchored in faith, pursue excellence and embrace innovation without losing the school’s cherished values.
Mr Francis Xavier-Kojo Sosu, the Member of Parliament for Madina, in a speech read on his behalf, said the dignity of teachers must be reflected not only in words but in tangible support to the cause of the profession.
To this end, he announced that plans are afoot to present to the next winner of the Madina Best Teacher Awards instituted by his office with a two-bedroom house.
Mr Sosu said over the years, his outfit has placed education at the core of its development agenda for the constituency.
“From supporting infrastructure needs to promote academic excellence, we continue to invest in the future of every child in our constituency,” he said.
“I am proud to say that winners and beneficiaries of this scheme have received cars, motorcycles and home appliances aimed at supporting and motivating them in their noble profession,” he stated.
He said his office remained open and ready for collaboration, partnership and innovative ideas, adding, “We believe that education thrives when communities, institutions, public leaders and the private sector work together.”
Mr Samuel Ofori-Offei, a past Senior Presbyter, shared a brief history of the school, saying it was started with one retired teacher and seven pupils on September 13, 2005.
He said currently, the school has on its payroll 36 teachers including attendants and 453 pupils.
There were awards for outstanding teachers who have acquitted themselves well through long service and dedication to duty while pupils who excelled academically were also honored with prizes.
