'Solution to English Language for SHS' Launched

A new book titled "Solution (A practical Approach) to English language for SHS" has been launched in Kumasi. The 353-page book, which highlights on mechanism, grammar, essay writing, vocabulary, summery and comprehension, was authored by Mr. Edward Frimpong, MA (Sociology) and diploma (English) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The author, an English Lecturer and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Human Development Institute (HDI) at Mamponteng in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region, said English was an indispensable subject in institutions either Basic, Secondary or Tertiary level.

He noted that students fail abysmally in English every year, because they do not give much attention to the subject, and even those who pass, do not pass well.

According to the author, the book is to offer practical solutions to areas where students have problems, and give them the courage to be able to pass the subject which has been a stumbling block in delivering academic successes for most of them.

Mr. Osei Assibey, an Administrator at Horizon Hospital in Kumasi, who presided over the launch, challenged Ghanaians, especially students of school going age, to cultivate the culture of reading to improve academic performance. He urged parents to prioritise the basic needs of their wards, to enable them develop a keen interest in education, in order not to stay at home to become a threat to nation-building.

Mr. Osei Assibey suggested that the government give incentives that could motivate teachers to give off their best, and guarantee good results, thus recommending the book to parents, teachers and students to ensure an excellent education.

Mr. Kumi Achiaw, District Coordinating Director, commended the author of the book, which, he noted, would serve as an instructional material for Senior High School students, as there has been growing concern about the falling standard of English, which incidentally, is a core subject.

According to him, in developing countries where books are scarce, and teachers are often 'untrained', textbooks assume a wider importance than they do in more developed countries.

The textbook, then becomes the most important, if not the means of teaching.

Shortage of quality textbooks is one of the major stumbling blocks in the delivery of quality education in the country, since textbooks and instructional materials have an impact on what is taught in schools.