Queensland International School honors JHS Graduates

Queensland International School honors JHS Graduates By Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA A sanitation expert Mr Harold Esseku has cautioned parents and students against patronising road side food, saying they are at risk of food borne diseases. Speaking at a graduation and thanksgiving and ceremony for the 2014 Year Group of Basic Education Certificate Examination(BECE) graduates of Queensland International School(QIS) at Sakumono, he indicated that the food sold by the roadside may not be properly prepared, properly served and stored and may not be in a hygienic environment and they attract several diseases. Mr Esseku,who was part of a recent survey carried out said some quantities of plantain chips, a delicacy were picked from a number of bus stops around the city of Accra sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) for a test. He said after the analysis was done, it came out that every single one of them indicated the presence of fecal coliform, a bacteria that could cause typhoid, dysentery, and cholera among other diseases were found on them. He said because the hawkers lack of toilet facilities, they ease themselves in the nearest bush and without washing their hands, they return to their wares which is later sold to the public who end up ingesting the food contaminated with bacteria. Mr Esseku therefore called on parents and students to be cautions and desist from patronizing such food vendors. A total of 104 Junior High School (JHS) graduates, who have successfully completed their basic education at the school were presented with certificates and textbooks at the ceremony to guide them at the SHS level. Mr Esseku who was the guest speaker urged graduates to continue to excel in their academic pursuit and extra-curriculum activities so that the education given them would not be in vein. He charged the graduates to be mindful of their choices of friends as they progress to the Senior High School level. “Your choice of friends will influence your life forever, As a student, your focus should be on what is right and go along with people who are doing the right things”, he said. The Tema Metropolitan Director of Education, Mr Kwesi Hutchful congratulated the graduates fro passing through the basic education system and advice them not to forget the training given them especially the moral ones when the get to the SHS. The Executive Director of QIS, Dr. Isaac K. Adjei-Maafo congratulated the graduates and expressed the hope that the good grounding they have received in the school will permeate their being, guide them and strengthen them in life. The Out-going school prefect for the 2013-2014 academic year, who also picked up four awards including the overall best academic award, Master Omar Zin Tan Mwinila-Youri recounted some memorable days in the schools which has contributed in shaping their lives and mounding their future. Master Omar while expressing his appreciation to management, teachers and parents for their support appealed to management to provide the school with a library for the JHS students to enhance private studies and research for both pupils and teachers. He also called for the construction of a football pitch to enable the school prove its might when it comes to soccer competition with other schools. The Headmaster of the school, Mr Joseph T. Saki-Venyor said the ceremony seals the contractual agreement between the school and parents at the time of enrolment of the students to imbue them with the virtue and the requisite knowledge to prepare them for the next stage in their life. “We are therefore expecting nothing short of another resounding victory at the years BECE and favourable placement into SHS of their choice”, he said. -End-