Professor Lydia Aziato, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), says the 21st Century demands skills and knowledge differently from past centuries.
She said “in this day and age, we need students that can think critically because the AI can think for you now. And so if the students cannot think critically, they will not have a job in the future. AI will take over”.
Prof. Aziato in a keynote address at the climax of the 60th Anniversary celebration of the Anfoega Senior High School (ANFOESEC), said the 21st century required students that would come out with innovative and creative thinking and must be technology and digital skill savvy and must be able to adapt to all kinds of situations.
She called for continuous professional development of teachers so that they could have the skills to train the future leaders of the country.
Prof. Aziato commended the school for its self-help efforts adding that everything should not be left to the government.
She said the alumni contribution to the development of the school was encouraging, and called on alumni sitting on the fence to come on board to develop and grow their alma mater.
Prof. Aziato urged the alumni to provide internship opportunities for continuing students during their vacation or even whilst they were still in school.
She said the role of parents supporting their wards to ensure that teacher achieved the needed targets was important, hence teachers and parents must work together.
Prof. Aziato noted that it was the role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other traditional and religious bodies, community and political leaders to do more for the school.
She called on all to help the school get internet connectivity, so that the teachers could be abreast with the current knowledge of development in the areas that they were teaching and the students as well.
Prof. Aziato commended the school for efforts to instill discipline among students.
The theme for the celebration was, “Celebrating 60 Years: The Role of Stakeholders in Providing Quality Education for the 21st Century.”
Dr Gabriel T. Kwamigah-Atokple, the Volta Region Representative on the Council of State, said the theme for the anniversary challenged and reminded all that quality education required collective effort.
He said all stakeholders had a role to play hence their commitment must go beyond words and translate into action that strengthened schools and empowered young people.
Dr Kwamigah-Atokple commended the leadership and entire community of Anfoega Senior High School for preserving and advancing a proud legacy.
He admonished the students to embrace the opportunities before them with discipline and purpose while urging the alumni to remain actively engaged in the growth of their alma mater.
Togbe Gidi-Yiboe IV, the Divisional Chief of Anfoega Adame and Chairman, Board of Governors, said the school was now a game changer in the life of the community and the country at large.
He said the labour force that the school had churned out in the past 60 years was gratifying if estimated.
Staff and old students were given recognition for their various roles in supporting the growth of the school.