Larabanga Islamic Senior High School (LABISCO) has successfully held its maiden Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Week Grand Durbar, with strong appeals to stakeholders to support the school’s development while urging students to uphold discipline, unity, and academic excellence.
The colourful and historic event, held at the school’s premises in Larabanga in the West Gonja Municipality, marks the first SRC Week celebration since the establishment of the school in October 2024. It brought together traditional authorities, education stakeholders, political leaders, parents, media practitioners, and students in a show of unity and shared commitment to education.
Addressing the gathering, the Headmaster, Mr. Yakubu Seidu Danaba, expressed profound gratitude to Almighty Allah for the successful organisation of the event, describing it as a significant milestone in the school’s steady growth.
He noted that although the school is relatively young, it has made commendable progress within a short period. However, he outlined a number of pressing challenges confronting the institution, including inadequate teaching and non-teaching staff, the absence of officially employed kitchen personnel, and the lack of critical infrastructure such as a school bus, dining hall, computer laboratory, library, and a perimeter fence wall.
Mr. Danaba also commended three dedicated volunteers from the Larabanga community who continue to support the school’s feeding programme despite the absence of formal kitchen staff, describing their contribution as invaluable.
On discipline, the Headmaster raised concerns over absenteeism, misuse of digital devices, and other forms of indiscipline, urging students to use government-issued tablets strictly for academic purposes and to remain focused on their studies.
In his address, the SRC President, Kingsley Azumah Yobat, described the celebration as a moment of reflection, growth, and renewed commitment to service. He emphasised that leadership is not defined by titles or popularity, but by sacrifice, responsibility, and meaningful contribution to the development of the school.
He encouraged his fellow students to believe in their potential, remain disciplined, and pursue academic excellence, while rejecting negative behaviours such as violence, drug abuse, and examination malpractice.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Special Guest of Honour, Tingawura Alhaji Seidu Samson Abudu, Council of State Member for the Savannah Region, the Human Resource Officer of Mole National Park, Chief Yakubu Amankwah, congratulated the SRC and school authorities for initiating the celebration.
He described the event as an important platform that exposes the school to the outside world and showcases its progress, noting that LABISCO is steadily emerging as one of the fastest-developing senior high schools in the Savannah Region, particularly in terms of infrastructural growth.
Chief Amankwah further assured the school of the Mole National Park’s continued support, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to contributing to the development of education within the area.
Also speaking on behalf of the Guest of Honour, Lawyer Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese, Mr. Sanka Washiw underscored the importance of the theme: “Building a Strong Foundation for Academic Excellence, Unity, and Leadership.”
He stressed that unity remains a powerful tool for success, encouraging students to support one another academically. Sharing a personal experience, he recounted how he overcame poor performance in Mathematics by studying collaboratively with colleagues, highlighting peer learning as a key driver of academic improvement.
Mr. Washiw urged students to identify and support one another’s weaknesses, noting that “the best way to understand is to teach,” and encouraged them to cultivate a strong spirit of collaboration within their classrooms.
He further challenged students, particularly the pioneer batches, to build and sustain a formidable old students’ association to secure the long-term growth and success of the school.
In his farewell address, the Chairman for the occasion and PTA Chairman, Mr. Salia Hussein, commended the Headmaster for his visionary leadership and dedication to transforming the school.
He observed that even before the Ghana Education Service could formally introduce the school to the community, the Headmaster had already taken proactive steps to attract students and lay a solid foundation for its growth.
Mr. Hussein praised both staff and students for their resilience, recalling a period when students remained in school despite severe challenges, particularly water shortages.
He assured students that efforts are underway to address these challenges, revealing that the Headmaster, together with key stakeholders—including his associate Alhassan—is working to establish a strong advocacy and lobbying group to mobilise support for the school.
The event featured cultural displays, student performances, and vibrant expressions of unity, reflecting the strong bond within the school and the surrounding community.
The maiden SRC Week Grand Durbar of LABISCO ended with renewed commitment from stakeholders to support the school’s development, promote discipline among students, and collectively build a reputable and successful educational institution in the Savannah Region.
