The Rotary Club of Accra-Airport (RCAA) and the Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF) have joined forces to distribute a wide range of learning materials to more than 100 selected school children in Accra.
The distributed items include notebooks, exercise books, pencils, color pencils, rulers, erasers, sharpeners, mathematical sets, and calculators, benefiting students from various basic and senior high schools across Accra.
This annual event, known as “Back to School,” is organized by RCAA and SCEF with the aim of equipping selected children with the essential tools and learning materials to support their education.
This year's program, held at the John Wesley Methodist Basic School in Jamestown, Palladium, Accra, revolved around the theme: “Education Unites; Equipping street-connected children with the necessary tools for success.”
Madam Peace Akwei-Brock, President of the Rotary Club of Accra-Airport, explained that the gesture was aimed at instilling hope in the children by providing them with the necessary skills and attributes to contribute to the country's development.
She highlighted that this support aligns with the Rotary International theme for the year, “Create Hope in the World.”
Madam Peace Akwei-Brock expressed her delight at the decade-long collaboration and friendship between RCAA and SCEF.
She assured that this partnership would continue in good spirit in the years ahead.
Mr. Paul Semeh, Founder/Executive Director of SCEF, emphasized that the aim of providing learning materials to the children was to remove some of the educational barriers in free compulsory basic education.
He pointed out that while education in Ghana is meant to be free, tuition is not the only requirement. Students also need exercise books, textbooks, uniforms, and other essentials.
Mr. Semeh called on key stakeholders, including the government, politicians, and decision-makers, to address these issues seriously.
He noted that while the government is offering free education at the senior high school level, the same needs to be addressed at the basic level.
Mr. Semeh emphasized the importance of providing the necessary supplies, including rulers, mathematical sets, pens, pencils, and uniforms, to enable children to attend school.
He highlighted the plight of street-connected children whose parents are not active contributors, and he urged the country to provide support to fill these gaps.
He emphasized that Ghana is filled with talented children, and nurturing these talents is in the nation's best interest.
The children who are provided support today may bring fame to the nation tomorrow, demonstrating the importance of nurturing their gifts for the benefit of all.