There is growing tension at Hark Mount Sinai Senior High School in Akropong-Akuapem, Eastern Region, after the headmistress, Mercy Amo Darkoah, unilaterally halted extra classes organized by the Parents Association (PA) for final-year students.
This decision has sparked concerns among parents and teachers, who perceive it as an attempt to sabotage the students’ academic performance and shift blame onto the government.
Mercy Amo Darkoah, alias Obuor who also serves as the Eastern Regional Women’s Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has previously been embroiled in controversy after a recorded audio surfaced of her insulting a parent and former President Mahama, referring to them as “fools.”
The 2025 West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) would start on 4th August 2025.
However, at a Parents Association Meeting held on February 1,2025,
Mr. Ahyia Amankwah, the Assistant Headmaster (Academic) of Hark Mount Sinai SHS indicated that the current Form 3 students has spent less periods in school resulting in the lack of contact hours with their teachers recommended for extra classes.
“The chairman of the Parents Association requested the parents to accept the organisation of classes for Form 3 students since they had spent one and half year at home. So we all agreed and it announced that PA classes for Form 3 students would commence on Monday 17th February, 2025. An amount of GH¢ 400.00 was proposed and agreed upon as being the classes fee” a parents narrated .
Again, parents agreed to pay Ghc60. 00 to organize second mock Examination for the final year students.
However, the extra classes, initiated by the PA to support students’ preparation for their final exams, were reportedly stopped by the headmistress last week without prior consultation, leaving parents and teachers frustrated.
She went ahead to issue query letters to the teachers.
“The attention of the Headmistress and Management has been drawn to an extra class being organized for the from three (3) students.You are by this letter to answer why punitive action should not be taken against you for not seeking the consent of the Headmistress and management before commencing.
Your response should reach the office of the Headmistress by 3rd March 2025 ” One of the query letters signed by the Headmistress read.
In response to the query, a teacher clarified that the extra classes are organized with the students’ best interests in mind and has not violated any school policies or regulations.
The teacher emphasized that the Parent Association (PA) has kept the school management informed about the extra classes.
He said the Academic Head ,Mr.Ahyia Amankwah also addressed the matter on the F3 teachers’ platform, stating that after a meeting with the Headmistress (though the Academic Head was not present), it was agreed that a portion of the benefits from the extra classes would be allocated to the administration for maintenance and remuneration, separate from management payments.
The Academic Head urged teachers to support this initiative, noting the significant costs involved in maintaining school facilities and infrastructure.
He said specifically, it was understood that:GH¢ 50.00 per student would be given to the Headmistress for maintenance and remuneration.
20% of the total money collected would go to management before the extra classes could continue.
He concluded that this explanation confirms that the school management is aware of the PA-organized extra classes and the associated financial arrangements.
The Headmistress of the school, Mercy Amoh Darkoah, came under scrutiny for the collection of Ghc200 and Ghc100 project and maintenance fees per student, respectively.
Allegations of the diversion of funds designated for teachers’ motivation during extra classes for final year students that year also further fueled discontent among the teachers.
Therefore,the Parents Association and teachers in the school do not want the headmistress to get involved in collection and allocation of monies for this year’s extra classes.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
