Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, says he is confident academic performance in English, Mathematics, and Science will improve following the successful rollout of his new bootcamp initiative dubbed Ampem Educamp 2025.
The maiden edition brought together 400 learners from 70 public and private Junior High Schools across the Asuogyaman District. For two weeks, the students were camped at Akosombo International School, where they received intensive tuition, coaching, and mentoring in the three core subjects from education experts and retired teachers.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Hon. Thomas Nyarko Ampem explained that the Educamp was introduced to reverse the declining trend in Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results in the district.
” In last three years, we’ve seen a declining trend in the performance of our children in the BEC.And so I sat with the education directorate and said that we need to do something extra. And so I brought up this idea that we have to motivate the best among the students that we have to do better”
” So we targeted the best in all the schools.We brought five best from each of the JHS both public and private, to energize them and prepare them for their final year.
All of them are in the second year, and when school resumes in a couple of weeks, they will be going to the final year”.
He noted that follow-up in-service training will soon be organized for final-year teachers in Mathematics, English, and Science to sharpen their skills and better prepare students for examinations.
The MP further disclosed that participants underwent eye screening during the camp, which revealed some concerning cases that will require medical follow-ups in collaboration with parents.
District Director of Education, Augustina Adwoa Owusu, commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention to address poor performance in core subjects. According to her, many students in the district struggle with English, Maths, and Science, a situation that has contributed to unsatisfactory BECE results.
The Eastern Region recorded a 69 percent pass rate in the 2023 BECE, highlighting the urgent need for such interventions.
Guest speaker at the event, Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, applauded the Educamp and urged other constituencies and districts to replicate the program to improve education standards across the region.
The event also recognized outstanding students. Zoe Kudo Yayra of Akosombo International School emerged Overall Best Student after excelling in English and Science, while Leslie Nuamah of Crimson Down School was named Best Maths Learner.
Participants received free learning materials, including textbooks and exercise books. Female students were also provided with sanitary pads to support menstrual hygiene during the camp.
The Ampem Educamp is expected to be held annually to prepare more learners for academic excellence.
Present at the closing ceremony were chiefs,Wife of Akwamumanhene ,clergy, parents, teachers and other stakeholders.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
