Ellembelle: The Complementary Education Agency (CEA) has achieved a milestone in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region. Its inaugural group of learners who commenced their education at the Kindergarten level in 2019 has successfully transitioned to become the pioneer Junior High School (JHS) cohort at Onsonyameye.
According to Ghana Web, Onsonyameye, a farming community in the Ellembelle District, is celebrating this achievement as a significant step in Ghana's mission to ensure inclusive education for all children. The 16 pupils began their educational journey through CEA's Complementary Basic Education (CBE) program, supported by Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Member of Parliament for the area and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. These students are now fully integrated into the formal school system as they embark on their JHS education journey.
The transition and graduation ceremony, held at Onsonyameye, was attended by the District Director of CEA, Shaibu Issaka, along with stakeholders, parents, and community members. They described the transition as evidence that complementary education is fulfilling its role in providing educational opportunities for out-of-school children. Shaibu Issaka highlighted the success of the cohort as a testament to the impact of community support, dedicated facilitators, and the government's commitment to inclusive education.
Community members and parents expressed their joy and gratitude, noting that this transition brings hope to other children in the district who previously lacked access to formal schooling. However, they appealed to the government to construct a JHS facility in Onsonyameye to accommodate the new cohort, as students currently have to travel long distances to access JHS education.
The community also cited the lack of electricity as a major challenge impacting education and development. They appealed for urgent intervention to address this issue. Additionally, community members expressed concern over the state of the existing Kindergarten and Primary school structure, which is made of mud and bamboo and deemed unsuitable for learning. They called on the government, NGOs, and oil and gas companies operating in the district to help improve the infrastructure and address the electricity challenges facing the community.