The Proprietress of Sir Martin’s Memorial School, Miss Joana Wuriya Ewuntomah, has urged graduating pupils to combine academic excellence with good character, discipline, confidence and a willingness to learn from practical experiences.
She made the call on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when the school held its 8th Graduation and Matriculation Ceremony at its new block.
The colourful ceremony brought together parents, invited guests, staff and pupils, and was chaired by Mr. Martin Yelibora. The event was marked by musical performances from the school choir, poetry recitals and dance performances.
Addressing the gathering, Miss Joana Ewuntomah congratulated the graduating pupils and reminded them that graduation was not the end of their educational journey but the beginning of another stage filled with greater responsibilities and expectations.
She encouraged the graduates, particularly those progressing from Basic Six to Junior High School One, to work harder, respect their teachers and parents, take their studies seriously and remain open to learning.
“Moving to a higher class means that more will be expected of you, and I believe you are capable of rising to that challenge,” she told the graduates.
Miss Joana also welcomed the newly matriculated pupils and urged them to build positive relationships, listen to their teachers and take advantage of opportunities available to them to learn and develop.
She stressed that education at Sir Martin’s Memorial School goes beyond the acquisition of academic qualifications.
According to her, the school is committed to developing pupils who possess good character, confidence, discipline and a sense of responsibility, in addition to academic knowledge.
She highlighted the school’s motto, “Learning by Doing,”, saying it reflects the belief that children learn effectively when they are given opportunities to participate, practise and discover things for themselves.
The proprietress expressed appreciation to parents and guardians for their confidence and sacrifices towards the education of their children.
She also commended teachers and staff for their dedication, patience and hard work, noting that the progress of the pupils was a reflection of the effort invested in their development.
“Every step our children take forward is also a reflection of the time and effort you invest in them,” she said.
Miss Joana further encouraged pupils to see every new class as an opportunity for self-improvement.
She advised them not to be afraid of making mistakes but to learn from them, ask questions, work hard and continuously strive to become better than they were the previous day.
Chairman of the ceremony, Mr. Martin Yelibora, challenged schools, parents and teachers to place greater emphasis on practical learning and life skills.
Mr. Yelibora said he was not opposed to education but preferred learning that equipped young people with practical knowledge they could apply in real-life situations.
He questioned whether schools were adequately exposing students to practical areas such as waste management, farming and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
He advocated for an educational system that would enable young people to become independent, practically oriented and capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
Mr. Yelibora also offered to support the training of pupils through practical experiences at workplaces and encouraged other individuals and institutions with relevant expertise to do the same.
He said such collaboration could help equip young people with skills that would make them more sustainable and useful to Ghana’s development.
The best graduating students from JHS One and Grade One described their achievement as a significant milestone and expressed gratitude to their teachers, parents and classmates.
They acknowledged that their success was not solely about achieving high marks but also about perseverance, consistency, resilience and determination in the face of challenges.
The students thanked their teachers for pushing them to develop their abilities and their parents for their sacrifices, encouragement and unwavering support.
As they prepared to move to the next stage of their education, they pledged to carry forward the lessons they had learned and continue striving for excellence.
The 8th graduation and matriculation ceremony therefore ended on a celebratory note, with the school management reaffirming its commitment to nurturing pupils through a combination of academic learning, character development and practical education.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/ Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
