The Health Education and Research Policy Africa (HERPol-AFRICA) led by its director , Dr. Osman A. Dufailu, moved to the UDS Basic School on campus in Nyankpala on Thursday, October 3, 2019 to interact with junior high school students. The curriculum was structured to introduce students to courses and occupations aligned with them in senior high schools.
This brought people from various fields of study together to make improvements in various ways to connect with students and share with them some of the experiences and job opportunities that students could pursue. Dr. Osman A. Dufailu, the director of the NGO, said that there was a need for such a program as a way to shape the mindset of students when they are young so that in the future they will not make mistakes in their career lives.
A practical approach to how to make an improvised fire extinguisher using mixed vinegar and baking powder was demonstrated by Dr. Dufailu. He also showed the students microscopic views of some bacteria such as Taenia with the aid of a light compound microscope to make them experience the fun of science.
A graduate student reading MPhil Biotechnology, Mr. Joseph Nzeh, also took the students through how they should prepare themselves for academic success, the choice of schools and study courses, as well as the Computerized School Selection and Placement System mode of service.
In spite of the school placement grades, Mr. Nzeh reminded the students that where they are, their academic prowess should not be compromised and they should not be discouraged from excelling in grade A schools. However, he cited the case of the Vice President of Ghana, H. E. Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, who attended Tamale Secondary School, as well as the former President of Ghana, H. E. John D. Mahama, and his wife, Lordina Mahama, who also attended Tamale High School in Ghana. But where they were trained, they were not discouraged from getting to where they are today.
Ebbah David, a student at the UDS Faculty of Agriculture, also shared some common myths associated with reading mathematics and science with students, as well as other speakers who touched on various topics. The day was very enjoyable, educational, engaging and lovely, of course.
Yesterday, Friday 4 October, they also expanded their outreach to the Alhassan Gbanzaba Memorial School, a very prestigious private school in Tamale.
HERPolAFRICA called on the school’s headmaster to allow them to engage with the students when it is time for them to choose SHS schools.