Newill Academy
The children are the students of Newill Academy located at Koforidua. Newill Academy first opened its doors for just a handful of pre-school children in 2010. The aim of the founder was to provide schooling for the children of those parents who cannot afford the „usual” tuition fees of the other schools in town. Compared to those schools here the fee is less then third of the “normal” level, lunch is provided for all children, and if the parents can afford to pay the bus fee, the children can have a ride to school and back home. The monthly fee includes tuition, lunch fee. The payment of the bus fee is optional but very much appreciated by the parents.
The school system in Ghana follows a 2-6-3-3 division, of which 2-6-3 is part of basic education. The school starts in late January and ends in early December.
Basic education starts at the age of 4 in kinder garden, but most of the schools provide daycare (creche) from the age of 2. This altogether 4 pre-school years are followed by the primary school of 6 years.
The language of education is English, which is a particular difficulty for children who speak almost exclusively tribal language when they enter the kinder garden or creche. The curriculum includes English, Twi, which is a tribal language, creative arts, mathematics, environmental studies, social studies, French as foreign languages, general science, religious and moral education, IT, any physical activities such as Ghanaian music, dance, physical education. There is no certificate of completion at the end of the primary school.
The classes from 7 to 9 continue learning the same subjects as well as Design and Technology. They finish their studies with a BECE certificate (Basic Education Certificate).
The condition for joining and staying in the program is to reach the minimum average of 60%.
We send the sponsors the school report showing that the child has attended school, including the results he or she has accomplished, bringing letters written by the children, small gifts during our visits, and reporting on any events affecting the child.