MASTERS REGRET CANING INCIDENT

Monday, September 5, 2005

It was about three weeks ago that the webmaster went for a walk within the town of Sofoline with several Prempeh masters. Among the staff who made the trip include Assistant Headmaster Yeboah, Senior Housemaster Atiemo, Freeman Housemaster Mr. Bediako, Solonesta and the man notoriously known as Rebel Tear, whom the students unanimously regard as "the Most Wicked Man on Campus."

While we were all working toward another aim that afternoon, several of the masters started talking to each other about how terrible they feel about the infamous caning incident, which has brought them widespread denunciation.

"We should have let them weed the school or we should have found some other means of punishment for them."

"Now the whole world seems to be condemning us, and our students are on the internet expressing their opinion."

Prempeh.org could only watch with joy as the masters expressed profound regret about that imbroglio.

Mr. Peter Yeboah, also called Robo, whose lashing of a student caused bleeding and triggered an unfortunate chain of events on our campus, has already expressed regret and has actually become a good ally of the webmaster. The remorseful Robo has since sent us several greetings. "My greetings to the webmaster -- a very noble man" seems to be his favourite.

We thank the masters for their reflection and their humanistic integrity in this matter. However, the boys of Sofoline should realize that they make a mockery of our efforts if they don't conduct themselves. The report that one Amanfoo recently wrote from the campus leaves so much to be desired.

POSTSCRIPT:

The following is an email an American lady in Florida emailed to us, which we submitted to the concerned authorities. The Headmaster, Senior Housemaster and the remorseful Robo were each handed a print-out of this email.

Subject: how do we punish?
From: "magnoila academy"
Date: Sun, August 14, 2005 5:16 pm
To: webmaster@prempeh.org
Priority: Normal

Magnolia Academy & Childcare Center

To the Principal,

I was surfing your website and was very impressed with the caliber of education and educational environment at your college. I was very touched and happy to see that Africa has such a college with such an interesting history. However my heart sank when I came upon the punishment that was used as punishment for these young men.

Caning should be something of the past. The fact that you have managed to establish such a college with such interesting students then you can also find another method of punishment. As a child think back as to how a whipping or caning affected you. It only instill fear and hate. This form of punishment has a cruel effect. Find things that the student love and deprive them of it or certain activities.

As for a teacher hitting a student in the head until he bleeds is totally a wicked act. Most times when teachers hit a student it stems from a frustrated teacher. As educators we must find amicable ways in teaching and living in harmony with getting the respect we need without having to beat on or torture our future for tomorrow. I pray that my letter will touch the hearts of the administrators and a change will come very soon.

I am a Principal of a Early Childhood Developmental Center here in Florida. I have Visited Ghana three times and am hoping to move there in the near future. I am praying to find a place where I can open a school for young children. I am a Black Woman who love Africa and would love the opportunity to serve Africa as an educator.

I write this letter as a concern educator. I know that change is hard but for the betterment of our people we must thrive to serve and love, to the best of our ability.

Together we stand firm for a strong and brilliant Africa.

Utmost Respect,
Ms. Aloma Ingram