SPATS graduates 808 students, appeals for infrastructure support
St Paul Technical School (SPATS) at Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region has held its third graduation ceremony, with a total of 808 students completing their programmes in various technical and vocational disciplines.
The graduates comprised 757 males and 51 females.
The colourful ceremony brought together students, parents, staff, old students and other stakeholders to celebrate academic excellence, innovation and the contribution of technical and vocational education to national development.
A major highlight of the event was a robotics exhibition by students, who demonstrated practical skills and innovation through the assembly and programming of robots. The display drew admiration from guests and underscored the growing emphasis on technology-driven learning at the institution.
Call for discipline and lifelong learning
The Special Guest of Honour, Professor Prince Boateng, Principal of Ada College of Education and an old student of SPATS, urged the graduates to remain disciplined and committed to lifelong learning.
Speaking on the theme, "TVET, Skilled Youth, Strong Nation," he said technical and vocational education had become a critical driver of economic growth and industrialisation.
He noted that countries such as Japan, South Korea and China had achieved remarkable development through sustained investment in technical education and skilled manpower development.
Professor Boateng encouraged the graduates to work hard and pursue excellence in their chosen careers, citing his own educational journey from a technical school student to a professor and principal as evidence that diligence and determination yield success.
Principal appeals for infrastructure support
The Principal of the school, Mr Teye-Bi-Teye Agualey, congratulated the graduating students for their dedication, discipline and perseverance.
He commended both staff and students for upholding the school's tradition of excellence and urged the graduates to be worthy ambassadors of the institution.
Mr Agualey also appealed to the government, corporate organisations, old students and other stakeholders to support the school in addressing its growing infrastructure deficit.
Dignitaries and awards
Among the dignitaries present were the Deputy Director of the Ghana Education Service, Mr Patrick Boateng Sampong; the Municipal Director of Education, Madam Grace Adza-Awude; a representative of the Ghana TVET Service Headquarters, Madam Josephine Amegavi; the Parent-Teacher Association Chairman, Mr Frank Kissi; and the Chairman of the St Paul Technical School Old Students Association, Ing. Charles N. Amoako, who is also the Director of Technical Services at Graphic Communications Group Limited.
As part of the ceremony, outstanding students and departments were honoured for exceptional academic and practical performance.
The Principal's Award for the Overall Best Student went to Mensah Fiifi Edward of the Electrical Department, who obtained an average score of 83.3 per cent.
Angelica Opoku Akyaa of 3 Mechanical A received the Senior Housemistress Award for the Best Female Student in Academics with an average score of 79.2 per cent, while Offei Dennis Asiedu of the Electrical Department won the Arnold Janssen Award for the Best Mathematics and Science Student after obtaining an impressive score of 92.3 per cent.
The Wood Construction Technology Department was adjudged the Most Innovative and Creative Department for 2026.
Donations and recognition
The St Paul Technical School Old Students Association donated a Samsung tablet to the Overall Best Student. The association also presented assorted Personal Protective Equipment to the Wood Construction Technology Department in recognition of its innovation award.
Addressing the gathering, the Queenmother of Kukurantumi, Nana Oforiwaa Dankyiraa Owusuaa Nkwabita II, who represented the Chief of the town, praised the teaching staff for maintaining discipline among the students.
She described discipline as one of the institution's enduring strengths and appealed to government and stakeholders to assist the school in addressing its infrastructure challenges.
Urgent need for infrastructure investment
A major concern highlighted by almost all the speakers was the deteriorating state of infrastructure at the school. They stressed the urgent need for government intervention and support from old students, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to help improve teaching and learning conditions.
According to the speakers, inadequate classroom facilities, workshops, equipment and other essential infrastructure continue to pose challenges to the delivery of quality technical and vocational education. They appealed for immediate assistance to rehabilitate existing facilities and provide the needed resources to enable the school to maintain its high standards and produce skilled graduates for national development.
School history and challenges
Established in February 1957 by the Society of the Divine Word Missionaries, SPATS is the first technical school founded by the Catholic Church in Ghana. Over the decades, the institution has produced skilled professionals who have contributed significantly to the country's industrial and technical development.
Despite its achievements, the school faces serious infrastructure challenges. It lacks an assembly hall, while its dining hall has become inadequate for the growing student population, forcing students to dine in multiple shifts.
The school also faces shortages of classroom furniture, while challenges relating to sanitation and water supply continue to affect teaching and learning.
School authorities, therefore, appealed to government, industry players, philanthropists and old students to support efforts to improve the institution's infrastructure and enhance the quality of technical and vocational education.
