Nkotompo is a fishing village in Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana, which was facing challenges with providing quality education to its youngest citizens. The community’s kindergarten school was in very a poor state with structural cracks, poor sanitation and no proper toilets for children to use. The classrooms were also very over crowded due to the high numbers of children enrolled at the school.
As part of Tullow Ghana’s socio-economic investment strategy designed to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in communities they work in, a new kindergarten school was commissioned in partnership with the community, the Ghana Education Service and Sabre Education.
The new kindergarten school provides four kindergarten classrooms, two kitchen areas, age appropriate toilets, two shaded outside teaching areas and a playground. It also features an office space and a safe area to store classroom resources.
The classrooms are large, light bright and airy creating cool comfortable spaces for children. The shaded outside teaching areas allow learning to be brought outside and for children to get involved in activities such as water play, skittles, obstacle courses and practicing drawing in the sand, supporting the strengthening of their gross and fine motor skills. They are inspirational spaces for both the children and teachers.
We are delighted to share that the school is complete and the official opening ceremony was held on 9th December. This was a fantastic event attended by community elders, church officials, the Ghana Education Service, school staff and representatives from Tullow Ghana.
Nkotompo kindergarten teacher Bernice Ofori led the participants on a tour of the new school and children shared wonderful dances and readings as part of the celebration.
James Ayando, Director of Programmes at Sabre Education shared that “Tullow Ghana working through Sabre Education have completed yet another beautiful educational complex for the people of Nkotompo. The complex will serve the educational needs of children in early grade, this is part of the STEM strategy for the oil company ensuring that children of fisher folk in their catchment communities have a better chance in life. This aspiration connects very well with the vision of Sabre Education who are leaders in early grade educational programming in Ghana, working to ensure that Ghanaian children have the best start to their education. Ayekoo, Tullow Ghana Ltd. Ayekoo, Sabre Education”
Susan Place Everhart, CEO at Sabre Education shared “Seeing the children and teachers in their play-based classrooms, preparing songs and presentations for the celebration, viewing their colourful materials on the walls and working collaboratively together at their group tables, really brought the school to life for me!
This school is now a wonderful resource for the community to foster in this young generation the curiosity, confidence and love of learning that has been shown to lead to higher levels of achievement and overall wellbeing later in life.
What a privilege for Sabre Education to work with Tullow Ghana, the Ghana Education Service and this community of Nkotompo to make this dream a reality for all these young children.”
We would like to say a huge thank you to these attendees of the event; the Mayor of Takoradi Hon. Abdul-Mumin Issah, Assembly Member for Nkotompo Mr Anthony Ephraim, Deputy Director of Education for Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly S.K Rockson, Ghana Education Service School Improvement Support Officer for the Adiembra Circuit Vida Takyi Anna, Queen Mother Nana Ndasa II Nkotompo-Poase Obahema, Apofehene (chief fisherman) Mr John Awortwe, head teachers George Eshun A.M.E Zion basic school and Ama Sekum Peprah Nkotompo kindergarten school, Rev. Nicholas K Abaidoo P.E A.M.E Zion Church, Rev. Solomon Kojo Ellis, A.M.E Zion Church Pastor. Representatives from Tullow Ghana, Senior Social Performance Advisor Elijah Boye-Ampah and Community Liaison Officer and Project Lead Sebastian Blay.
