Tullow Ghana has completed its 12th Sustainable Kindergarten project at the Aboadze-Abuesi Basic School in the Shama District of the Western Region.
The Aboadze-Abuesi KG block is a new two-classroom KG facility with a playground, a canteen and a washroom.
The project at Aboadze-Abuesi, like the previous projects, included the training of teachers in Montessori training style.
Since 2011, Tullow Ghana has embarked on the sustainable kindergarten project designed to help communities with basic education.
The project is the pre-tertiary component of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative which forms part of Tullow’s larger educational support programme that spans from kindergarten through university education.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the facility, the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of Tullow Ghana, Cynthia Lumor, said the construction of these kindergartens and training of teachers formed part of Tullow’s pledge to positively impact communities through educational development initiatives.
“Over the last 10 years we have, in line with our shared prosperity programme, focused on educational development initiatives that are intended to positively impact communities, especially the ones within our operational area.
This has taken us on a journey to construct 11 other kindergartens in Western and Central regions, trained 31 KG teachers in GES approved pedagogy, equipped 12 headteachers with skills in the management of montessori system of education and graduated over 2,200 from all 12 KGs; just because we believe that a successful educational career is dependent on our children having solid foundations,” she said.
STEM Education
She said the educational initiatives are geared towards developing interest and skills in STEM education from the kindergarten level to the tertiary level.
While acknowledging the role and support of the community in the construction of the two-classroom KG facility, Ms Lumor encouraged all in the community to “demonstrate positive maintenance culture by supporting with the fixing of little things on this facility when the need arises.”
The DMD also expressed gratitude to its partner, the Sabre Education for putting up an edifice for the community.
According to her, Tullow Ghana’s partnership with the Sabre Education has proven to be valuable.
Mr. Andrew E. Mercer, who doubles as the Sekondi MP and the Deputy Minister for Energy, commended Tullow Ghana for implementing a project that will give Ghanaian children a head-start in STEM education.
“This facility will not only be a place to study but to help them nurture and develop interest in STEM related careers. Ghana’s energy sector needs more engineers and technicians with requisite knowledge to contribute to its development.
The minister also used the opportunity to urge other organisations to emulate Tullow’s commitment to working with the government to develop talent and capacity of the country.
The Executive Director at the Sabre Education, Tony Dogbe, described the facility as Tullow’s gift to the community and thus urged the local authorities and the community to maintain the complex and keep it in good shape.
The Headmistress of the school, Vida Nana Bentum expressed gratitude to Tullow Ghana and the Sabre Education, saying “The names of Tullow and Sabre will forever be indelibly imprinted in the minds of children in particular and the community as a whole for this kind gesture.
