Street Academy supports pupils with learning material

Some of the children receiving the learning material from Miss Mellanie

Street Academy, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has presented over 4,000 learning materials to more than 400 pupils in Accra to motivate them to learn as they return to school.

The learning materials, worth over GH₵45,000.00 include exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, among others.

It was supported by Nii Boi Abbey and Ms Melani Lea Mennella, a Human Right Lawyer and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seapro Trade.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Ataa Lartey, Executive Director of Street Academy, said the support was in line with the institution’s mission to use education, culture, and sports to bring out the hidden talents of less fortunate children living on the streets of Accra.

He said the books would also serve as motivation for the pupils to remain committed to education and “know that someone cares and loves them.”

Mr Lartey added that, “as schools reopened on Tuesday, September 10, the students will be equipped with the materials at hand to start their academic work.”

According to him, the Academy submits names of children to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to be enrolled into the public schools, adding that “this year we are sending 18 children to the public school and it is the responsibility of the school to provide them with learning materials.”

He therefore encouraged the children to focus on their academic work to become better citizens and contribute to Ghana’s development agenda.

Ms Melani Mennella said every child had the right to education and therefore, there was the need to support them as they go back to school.

She said the learning materials would reduce the burden on parents as most of them found it difficult to provide their wards with learning materials when school reopened, and urged the students to make good use of the items as education was the key to success.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Academy saying that the materials would help them study better and keep up with class exercises.

The Street Academy runs a three-year bridge programme preparing street children for mainstream education, the public school system, vocational training and sports.

It is committed to the most vulnerable children, the Street Academy is 100 per cent free, sponsoring books, uniforms, and two meals a day. –GNA