One of Ghana’s finest secondary schools, Bishop Herman College, Kpando, has rolled out a seamless admission platform for its intake of this year’s BECE applicants.
Mindful of the COVID-19 protocols and the need to reduce human contacts, the college, known for its innovations in ICT and digitization has chosen to create an online admission platform which will enable BECE candidates placed in the college to sit in the comfort of their homes to complete what is generally a simple and seamless process online without having to travel to the Kpando based college.
So successful is this maiden one that the usual hustle, chaos, overcrowding in queues and confusions that used to characterize previous admission processes during this time of the year are completely absent. The campus is so quiet that one wonders if the college is really undertaking this year’s admission process.
When some parents whose sons are placed in the college were interviewed about the processes involved in the online platform, they expressed their satisfaction and praised the Management of the college for their foresightedness and innovation.
They were happy that the innovation has eliminated the ritual of having to travel to the campus to check the names of their sons on the admission board, pick prospectus and return home to prepare. With this current system, parents and guardians can fill all forms online; download the college’s prospectus and every other document that is in line with the admission process. They are only required to print out a copy of their admission letter to be submitted on the day of official reporting at the college.
When I contacted the headmaster of the College, Mr Kudolo Francis Dominic Kofi on the rationale behind the introduction of the online platform, the elated headmaster explained that the college is mindful of the potential spread of COVID-19 during the period, hence the decision by management to roll out the new platform.
On the matter of feedback from stakeholders, the headmaster explained that it has been very encouraging. He indicated that some parents in Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Dambai, Kete Krachi and Jasikan whose sons have been placed in the college called to express their relief over the initiative, which they explained has saved them the risk and cost of having to travel to the college.
In an interview with the Head of ICT in the College- Mr Kavege Peter – he explained that the process is so easy that applicants can access the platform on their mobile phones.
On how applicants can get the information about the link without having to travel to the college, he told this reporter that the college has posted flyers and posters on social media platforms in addition to announcements in the traditional media. He explained that the system is effective for large data collection, storage and management without the use of paper.
Bishop Herman College, a boys only Catholic second cycle institution, is renowned for her Catholic discipline and academic prowess. Like many of her contemporaries in the country, she has a rich and enviable history of academic glory such that it churns out some of the best public servants in the country and outside. In recent times, the college has been renowned for its innovations in ICT.
It was the first school in the Volta Region to introduce an e-voting which was later benchmarked by some other schools. At the moment, some activities in the college are either digitized or are ICT compliant.
Three years ago, a tutor from the college, Mr Nicholas Mawunyah Gborse, was adjudged Ghana’s most outstanding teacher at a ceremony held at Presec Legon. In the maiden edition of the National Independence Day Quiz Competition, the college placed second at the national contest held at the studios of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation in Accra.
The school has since become renowned in that contest. The college which is undoubtedly Volta Region’s academic citadel and ivory tower is a regular participant in the annual National Science and Maths Quiz competition.
Academically, the college which was established in 1952 by the Catholic Mission remains the toast of parents and guardians who are in search of a school with solid moral, discipline and excellent academic backgrounds for their sons and wards.